10/28/24

Monday Morning Offering: 10/28

Morning Coffee by George Mendoza

Good morning, good God!

The air conditioners are stowed away,
the boiler checked and ready for chilly nights;
my heavier jacket, gloves and knit cap
all stand by, ready to serve...

And then comes a day of sunshine
with temperatures in the 70's - and I cry:
    thank you, thank you, thank you Lord! 

You know how grateful I am for these bonus days:
    these leftover almost-summer days
come to surprise me as fall’s first frost
    makes ready to nip away my memories
        of August and July…

Just like putting on an old pair of pants
and finding a ten-spot in my pocket,
    a warm day falls from your pocket, Lord:
        an unexpected grace, a boon, a blessing,
        the last taste of a season passing,
        and pledge what will come again...

The warmth of these bonus days
reminds me of other ways you show me that
    - just when I think it’s all over -
          it’s not!
There comes a gift, a wink, a hint from you of
    one more day, one more chance,
    for taking one more step towards you 
    and toward the peace you promise…

Lord, I pray your pocket’s filled 
with little gifts just big enough 
    to catch my eye, turn my head
        and steal my heart away from hopelessness
just great enough 
    for me to hear you whisper in my ear:
        Hang in there...  
        you’re not alone… 
        there’s another day…
        I’m by your side all through the night 
            until a new day comes…
        take another step… 
        trust for just a moment…
        and know that I am with you without fail…

Surprise me with your grace, Lord,
with unexpected  gifts 
    to bring me hope,
    to guide me when I’m lost,
    to lead me where I fear to go,
    to give me strength for one more day,
    one more night, one more hour,
        one more step in your direction,
    closer to your heart, your word,
        your peace…

Surprise me with your grace, Lord,
    and nudge me 'til I find the gifts
        that come from your own hand…

Let no gift go unnoticed, Lord,
    unseen, unheard, unopened…

When self-pity, envy, anger
    keep me from what grace
        you've dropped into my lap,
then shake and wake me to your presence,
    and the help you bring,
        the help I need and want and pray for…

When I least expect - but need you most -
    surprise me like a summer’s day
        that dawns in late October:
    bathe me in your peaceful light 
        and from within,
            warm me with your presence…

I offer you my thanks this day
    for gifts of grace that fall into my lap,
gently placed there by your hand
    in this and every season... 

October’s frost may come tonight,
    tomorrow or the next day
        and surely it will come before I want it –
but when it does, 
    remind me of your pockets filled with gifts
and all the ways you might surprise me 
    with your love this day 
        and through the week ahead…

Amen.

 

  

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