Monday Morning Offering: 5/2

Image: George Mendoza

Good morning, good God!

Quite a week behind me, Lord,

for my family and our friends

- but you know that even better than I...

Sometimes,

when things seem steady and secure,

we're knocked off our pins
and reminded - with a jolt -
    that we're not the ones in charge,
    that we never know what might come next,

    that indeed we don't know 

        the day or the hour...

A wrenching, painful time it was, Lord,

with sadness and grief pitching their tents

in our heads, in our hearts - in our guts...

But day by day, hour by hour,

    word by word, tear by tear, 

 story by story, prayer by prayer, 

    step by step and hug by hug

our hearts were opened by your sweet grace

    to moments of fleeting peace;

anguish, shared with friends and loved ones,

    gave way to encounters, gentle and healing;

desolate loneliness, pierced by prayer,

    made room for company: mercy and love...

grief, anointed by blessings of faith,

    dared smile through tears, refracting joy...

So, we thank you, Lord,

    for your grace and healing,

for your Spirit's empowering breath

    reminding us of your presence,

    refreshing our joyful memories,

    and opening us to new blessings...

Strengthen us in our faith, O Lord,

    and open us up to all the ways

you'll continue to lead us beyond our grief,

    from sadness to joy,

    from sorrow to peace,

    from doubt to faith

    and from death into life with you...

Don't let us forget, Lord, you're always there,

    day by day, hour by hour,

        word by word, tear by tear, 

     story by story, prayer by prayer, 

        step by step and hug by hug

    and in every time and circumstance:

        you're faithful, never failing us,

            always showing us the way...

 

I offer you this prayer, Lord,

    my Monday morning offering,

        now and through the days ahead...

Amen.

Shepherd Me, O God by Marty Haugen 

 

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Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants,
beyond my fears, from death into life.

God is my shepherd, so nothing I shall want,
I rest in the meadows of faithfulness and love,
I walk by the quiet waters of peace.

Gently you raise me and heal my weary soul,
you lead me by pathways of righteousness and truth,
my spirit shall sing the music of your Name.

Though I should wander the valley of death,
I fear no evil, for you are at my side,
your rod and your staff, my comfort and my hope.

You have set me a banquet of love in the face of hatred,
crowning me with love beyond my pow'r to hold.
Surely your kindness and mercy follow me all the days of my life;
I will dwell in the house of my God forevermore.

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