Image: George Mendoza
Good morning, good God!
It’s almost time for us
to give each other gifts
on Jesus’ birthday -
and I hope you’ll forgive us
for getting that mixed up again this year!
So, there's lots of wrapping going on:
paper and foil, gift bags and boxes,
tags and tape, ribbons and bows…
Everyone’s wrapped up in wrapping -
and that includes me…
So what I offer you this morning, Lord,
are all the things I’m wrapped up in
that need unwrapping...
• I get wrapped up so easily in little things
while the big things that matter go undone…
Unwrap me, Lord, and make me faithful• I get wrapped up in things that waste my time
to things deserving my priority…
and time is one of my most precious possessions…
Unwrap me, Lord, and make me a good steward• I get wrapped up in day dreams
of my days and nights, my work, my play and my rest…
and leave work on my real hopes untended…
Unwrap me, Lord, and sharpen my vision• I get wrapped up in desires
of what’s real and what helps me truly grow…
for what I should not or cannot have…
Unwrap me, Lord, and give me a hunger• I get wrapped up in hurt and anger
for what truly nourishes and satisfies…
that sap my energy for reaching out generously…
Unwrap me, Lord, and free my heart• And I wrap myself up in my self, too:
to be with others and to do for others…
in my fears, my worries, my disappointments…
Unwrap me, Lord,
and let me see the blessings that are mine
and the gift of your presence, your comfort,
your mercy and your strength...
Unwrap me, Lord,I have Christmas gifts for others, Lord,
so that others can know and enjoy my gifts…
Unwrap me, Lord,
so that nothing hides me from you and your love
and the love of those around me…
but it’s your birthday that's coming,
so I offer you my unwrapped heart
my opened faith, my unsealed trust…
Unwrap me, Lord,Amen.
I need your help,
for I cannot unwrap myself…
powerful words...
ReplyDeleteand beautiful words...
and scary too...
I wonder, why is it so hard, so scary, to "unwrap ourselves", especially to God? But it is. But it's also something that I think I desperately want to happen...
and I think I also am working to try to make happen...
"unwrapping ourselves", to anyone and for anyone, involves tremendous risk and trust-
trust...
like you said, "...so I offer you my unwrapped heart, my opened faith, my unsealed trust..."
I think, despite my efforts and desires, my heart is not always unwrapped, and my faith...
although I work hard at this constantly, I'm afraid my faith is sometimes closed...
and my trust...
well, in some ways it remains sealed, though I think that hurts me, but somehow it's trying to protect me...
Very fitting morning prayer. I so need to be "unwrapped" of all my wants that will never come to pass. And you are right ... I can't do it alone ... only with God's help.
ReplyDeleteGreat prayer padre. Love the new signature!
ReplyDeleteThis was really perfect...you have no idea!
ReplyDelete-MDR