12/22/24

Monday Morning Offering: 12/22

Coffee in the Morning by George Mendoza
 
Good morning, good God!

It’s almost that time, Lord,
when we give each other gifts
    - on your birthday!
Please forgive us
    for getting that mixed up every year
       - and again this year!

So, there's lots of wrapping going on:
    paper and foil, gift bags and boxes,
    tags and tape, ribbons and bows…

Seems that everyone’s wrapped up in wrapping
so what I offer you this morning, Lord,
    are all the things that wrap me up
       and definitely need unwrapping...

• I get wrapped up, Lord, in little things
while the big things go undone.
    Unwrap me, Lord, and keep me faithful
      to what deserves my first attention...

• I get wrapped up in things that waste my time
and time is one of my most precious possessions.
    Unwrap me, Lord, and make me a better steward
      of my days and nights, my work, my play and my rest…

• I get wrapped up in fantasies and fears
and leave untended the realities I just don't want to face.
    Unwrap me, Lord, and sharpen my vision
      of what’s real and what will help me truly grow…

• I get wrapped up in what I want and hope to get,
and in desire for what I can't or shouldn't have.
    Unwrap me, Lord, and give me a hunger
      for what truly nourishes and satisfies...

• I get wrapped up in having more, in having the most,
in having the biggest, the newest, the best.
    Unwrap me, Lord, and help me give and give away:
      help me simplify and learn to do with less...

• I get wrapped up in anger and hurt
that sap my energy for reaching out.
    Unwrap me, Lord, and free my heart
       to serve and be with others...

• And I often wrap myself up in - my self:
I get all wrapped up in me:
    in my wants and in my worries,
    in my disappointments and self-pity...

Unwrap me, Lord,
and let me see the blessings that are mine:
    your love, your word, your presence,
    your mercy and your strength...

Unwrap me, Lord,
so that others can know, share and enjoy my gifts...

Unwrap me, Lord, when I try to hide
    from you,
    from your love
    and from the love of those around me...

I have Christmas gifts for others, Lord,
    but it’s your birthday that's coming
so I offer you an unwrapped heart,
    laid bare for you to touch and heal
and mend and bless and wrap again
    - but this time in your word and will,
           your gospel and your grace...

Unwrap me, Lord,
    I need your help
        because I can't unwrap myself... 

Amen.


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