Monday, December 27, 2004
Week Five, Day Two

A PERSONAL PSALM

See Isaiah 63:7-9

The beauty of the sun and sky and trees and flowers around me
and the warmth and care and love of the people beside me
fill my heart – mind – soul – body – my whole being!
Today, I praise and thank you, O Eternal One.

Yesterday, I may have forgotten you,
worried if you are really there,
wondered if I could trust you,
missed your presence in the
busyness of my schedule,
my timidity of mind,
my pride of hear.
Today, I praise
and thank you.

With your people here, I sing and pray to greet the day:
giving thanks for your care throughout the night;
affirming all your work for good in our world;
offering myself as beloved friend and servant.

In the halls, at meals, and in our classroom,
we share smiles, words, laughter,
concerns and plans
and pain.

You know, O God, how great is the pain
for many sisters and brothers here.
How deep are their struggles;
how uncertain their future;
how loud is their cry:
“How long, O God,
How long?”

O Eternal One, in the midst of all
this distraction, doubt, and pain,
I praise and thank you.  Amen!