A Concord Pastor Comments: Monday Morning Offering: 10/9

Good morning, good God!

This morning, Lord, I want to offer you...
just a little bit more...

I want to offer you
a little bit more
than I usually do...

I want to offer you
a little bit more
than I usually think is enough...

I want to offer you
a little bit more
then I did yesterday,
last week, last month,
last year...

I want to offer you
a little bit more
than I easily let go...

I want to offer you
a little bit more than
what comes naturally to me...

I want to offer you
a little bit more than I would
on my first impulse...

I want to offer you
a little bit more
than what logic dictates...

I want to offer you
a little bit more
than I'd keep for myself...

I want to offer you
a little bit more of my time
for silence,
for sitting still,
for seeking your presence,
for prayer,
for just being with you...

I want to offer you
a little bit more of my time
to seek out those in need,
to reach out to others,
to surrender myself
to serve my neighbor
today, this week, this month,
this year...

I want to offer you
a little bit more of my heart,
especially the hidden places
I want to keep to myself...

I want to offer you
a little bit more of my dependence
on you, your strength, your help,
your grace, your mercy
and joy...

I want to offer you
a little bit more
of all I hold back, hold in,
hold tight in my grip
and am slow to let go...

All this, Lord,
is what I want to offer you this morning
but to follow through I'll need to offer you
a little bit more (maybe even a lot more)
of my heart, my soul, my will, my mind,
my dreams, my hopes and my love...

So, even as I make this prayer, Lord,
help me give
a little bit more of myself
to you and my neighbor,
not counting the cost
but finding the joy that comes
from giving
just a little bit more...

Amen.