Pennies, a nickel here and there,
even a twenty, tossed away without
the wisdom and patience of attention.
Moments of varying value & denomination
misspent, robbed from the good of God’s work,
for lack of intention or a spirit of thanksgiving:
Words, a listening ear here and there,
even an opportunity for advocacy
wasted, excused as inconvenient.
For our pilfering in selfishness,
for our cheating against one another and you,
forgive us, ever-abundant and always-calling God.
….rough prompt. Good prayer though…oh so true.
Sometimes a prompt “stumps” me too, Suzanne!
For some reason I kept getting, caught up in thought about before and after tax tithing.
I am thinking there was a message in that thought.
The gavel has come down and I am guilty
My words and actions don’t line up
I say–
“I trust You God”
“You are my faithful Promise Keeper”
“You are a Fortress, Shelter, Deliverer”
“You are Sovereign, Wise and Good”
Yet I fail to leave my loved ones
in Your capable hands
I hold on, and fret and think I am somehow
responsible for their care
And now I am
depleted
empty
weary
That You would open Your arms to me
in spite of my sin
is so overwhelmingly beautiful
It was never Your gavel that announced my guilt
It was mine
I wholly welcome
Your gracious forgivenss
Can we begin again?
Your prayer flows right into the Lent 27 prompt, Juanita. “Can we begin again?” Yes, with mercies new every morning. Blessings!
“It’s a relief to talk” he said, as he shared memories and thanksgivings.
“What is this?” she said, as church gathers in the care-home dining room, and the broken piece of bread is placed into her hands.
“Look outside” he said, and there is the striking plumage of the woodpecker contrasting against the bark of the gentle chestnut tree.
Moments given and received.
How many moments have I missed to give whole-heartedly, to receive with thanks?
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.