A Concord Pastor Comments: Monday Morning Offering: 7/31

Good morning, good God!

Tomorrow's the half-way point
between solstice and equinox:
summer is half over...

I grieve the inevitable beginning
of summer's end, Lord,
but the sun and moon and stars
won't have it any other way...

I offer you this morning, then,
the rest of summer '17,
the half that waits ahead,
inviting me to make the most of
light and warmth - and time:
those days or hours, even minutes,
when summer gives the nod
to take a breather, slow the pace,
sit back, relax and rest
until summer's peace
settles in my soul...

I offer you this morning, Lord,
these august days that crown a season
ripe with fruit and flowers,
a time for farm stand harvests
and fresh vegetables
whose taste and texture satisfy
a hunger for good food, home grown,
reminding me that this good earth
is gift and grace for all...

I offer you this morning, Lord,
spaces on my calendar that I might fill
with time for family and for friends,
with time for sleeping in the sun,
with time for playfulness and letting go
the worries of the work-a-day
that weigh on me year 'round...

I offer you this morning
all my well-intentioned hope
of spending time with you, Lord,
of sitting down beside you at the beach
or on a mountain top,
in my backyard or by a stream
or just on my front steps...

Sitting down with you
in summer's light and warmth and peace;
sitting still with you, Lord,
to talk, to pray, to laugh, to cry,
to find in summer's slower pace some time
for you, my friend;
to find in summer's second half
not a season's end
but a beginning
of growing in your grace,
refreshed by all your light and warmth
- and all the time, the endless time
you have in store
for me...

I offer you this morning, Lord,
the rest of summer '17,
the half that waits ahead,
inviting me to make the most of
light and warmth - and time:
those days or hours, even minutes,
when summer gives the nod
to take a breather, slow the pace,
sit back, relax and rest
until summer's peace,
your peace, Lord,
settles in my soul...

Amen.