On another post, a reader asked if I'd be posting prayers reflective of my time here in Colorado - here's my first one!
I'm grateful, Lord, that I arrived in Colorado
while the Harison yellows are still in bloom!
I've been looking forward
to taking in their simple beauty
and the random way they grow:
here, there and all around,
requiring no special care,
just stopping by to visit
and to share
their spicy, musky scent...
I can't resist this, Lord:
It's time to stop and smell the roses!
But then, it's always time...
to stop and smell the roses,
to bathe in old Sol's summer warmth,
to be surprised by sudden joy
and trust it comes from you...
to breath in deep the evening air,
to try to count the heavens' stars,
to see a soul in someone's eyes
and reverence what I see...
to find the face that masks the moon,
to watch the waves that lap the shore,
to hear a silent cry for help
and find the words I need to say...
to wonder at a mountain's heights,
to wander through a forest's depths
to find the pulse of someone's love
and learn its gentle rhythm...
Lord, it's always, time...
to look for you in every place,
especially in just that place
I least expect to find you...
to wait for you and trust you'll come
when and where and how you choose
to make your presence known...
to stop and spend some time with you
who wait for me to join you,
who wait to hold and keep me...
It's always time
to stop smell the roses,
and to open wide my eyes and ears,
my heart and soul,
my mind's imagination
to the power and the presence,
the brilliance and the beauty
the grace, the peace and joy,
of all the ways you bless me, Lord,
in every time and place...
Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake
and watch over me while I sleep
that awake, I might keep watch with you
and asleep rest in your peace...
Amen.
Tonight's song is not from a hymnal but its lyrics pair well with our prayer tonight...
Smell the Roses by Garrison Urich
If a widget doesn't appear below, click here!
There's a long and winding road ahead
A few black clouds lay over head
And the shining sun is nowhere to be seen
But with every step and fall you take
All your thoughts and leaps of faith
There's a silver lining somewhere in between
Close your eyes
Breathe in slow
Then let it go
Stop and smell the roses
when your journey's getting long
When you feel your life's against you,
when your energy is gone
'Cause not everybody knows
when it's just time to catch a break
When you're draining
and you just don't wanna show it
Stop and smell the roses
Today has found another way
To turn right into yesterday
'
Cause time has taken all the light again
But if I fiddle with reality
To try and change who I should be
I'm tucking my own destiny in bed
'
