Doorway into Thanks

Praying

It doesn’t have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch

a few words together and don’t try
to make them elaborate, this isn’t
a contest but the doorway

into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.
    ~Mary Oliver

May you seek and find a moment in the Monday melee to still, to pay attention, to return thanks to the one Lord of all, and to listen in the silence for His voice in His Word, through His Spirit.


Walking through the doorway into thanks once again:
for readings in Exodus reminding me of our blood-soaked atonement, the cost of my sin
for Galatians, reminding me that sanctification, not only salvation, is by the grace of God
for the wisdom of Proverbs
for the Word alive again, still, in John
for new sun-protective clothing to simplify spring and summer with lupus
for grace, strength, and time to finish the James study homework
for lunch with my mom
for happy memories of babysitting a beautiful girl who turns 18 today
for success for A repairing his dad's clock to hang in our kitchen
for a compliment for A from an outgoing boss
for six months without antibiotics
for permission for A to telecommute one day a week
for a visit and meal shared with in-laws
for nephew's profession of faith and baptism
for bluebonnets along the highway on the drive across the metroplex
for real, transparent conversation with a friend at church for the second week running
for larkspur beginning to bloom in the back garden
for a friend's introduction to the songs of a beautiful new voice
for all these and more, I thank You, Lord. Open my ears to hear Your voice today.
(gratitude journal #5188-5204)