Monday Morning Offering: 9/15

Image: George Mendoza


Good morning, good God!

So very many different things
filling my schedule, my nights and days;
commanding my attention, focusing my vision;
jamming my thoughts,
renting space in my mind and  heart... 

So many things, Lord - so many good things:
my day to day work and all the people
who email, call, come by to chat, to laugh and cry,
who cross my path by appointment, by grace,
by the Spirit's surprise...

There are deadlines for meetings and projects,
work to be done with committees and councils
and on programs and homilies,
all of these needing a share of my time...

All that's on my calendar, Lord,
while still in my soul wait my cares and concerns,
my troubles and trials: unknown to most,
shared with a few and shared with you in my prayer,
in the time that we spend in the quiet, you and I,
in church, in my prayer room, in my car, in the shower,
and at any moment, in any place, where your Spirit
nudges my mind and heart to remember you're with me,
by my side, my companion, my mentor, my help... 

Help me sort things out
to know what's important and what's not so much:
to know where you lead me beyond my own wants;
to know what you ask me to do and to do it;
to know your will before my own
and be honest in responding to your call;
to do what I must when I don't want to do it,
to say what I must say when I'd rather keep silent;
to go where you lead when I don't want to go... 

Help me sort things out, Lord:
give me patience in working with others;
let my words be gentle, my thoughts well reasoned,
my decisions grounded in your Spirit's counsel;
help me generously give of my time...

When blessed with joy, let my heart open wide
to receive and to share it, to rejoice in such grace;
when sadness fills the day (my own or others')
open my heart to healing, to peace,
to the comfort your presence offers
and to any way to lighten the load
of the burdens that others might carry... 

When I'm too busy, Lord, then just slow me down;
when I'm lazy, please kick my butt;
when I don't know what to do or do next, show me
and give me the wisdom I need to know your plans for me
and the plans that I need to make... 

So very many different things
filling my schedule, my nights and days;
commanding my attention, focusing my vision;
jamming my thoughts,
renting space in my mind and  heart... 

Let me not forget how much I need you:
without your help, Lord, I will certainly fail; 
without your inspiration, my words will be empty; 
without your grace I'll turn in on myself; 
without your presence, I'll be empty;
without your Spirit, I have no compass; 
without your mercy, I have no hope;
without your love I'll be lost and alone... 

Let me not forget how much I need you, Lord... 

So I offer you this morning,
my day and the week that lies ahead: 
walk ahead of me and show me the way; 
walk beside me and be my friend; 
walk behind me and keep me safe... 

Occupy my mind and purify my thoughts; 
settle in my heart and make it your home; 
calm my soul with the healing and peace 
that only you can give... 

I offer you, Lord, my day, my week and my heart: 
make of me and my time an instrument of your peace, 
keep me faithful to you, your word and your love...

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