A Morning Devotional/Reflection Time

I absolutely LOVE my sister. While growing up there were a lot of years where I was the no-it-all, annoying older sister OR just completely self-absorbed in my own life's happenings, in our adulthood, my sister is one of my favorite people in the world and, according to her, feelings are mutual :). She is wise, introspective, smart, thoughtful, and unconventional. Since Alyssa came back from Paraguay especially (just in time for Selah to come home from Ethiopia 2 1/2 years ago!) our friendship has deepened and I often look to her to discuss what I'm pondering or for prayer...or for a much-needed babysitter! So, there's a little background on my amazing sister.

The picture is from this Spring when my mom was honored by the YWCA for being a nominee for their prestigious "Women of Distinction" award.  My sis is the one standing next to Mom.  My bro and sis-in-law from Chicago are sitting next to Karl and I.

On Saturday morning my precious sis and I went walking/running for 6 miles. She is my motivator for such distances as she has a decent amount of experience participating in half-marathons.  A mile was an accomplishment for me, but I have slowly gotten more motivated this year as I have seen/felt the positive mental impact of exercising.  I digress.  Alyssa handed me a copy of her morning devotional taken from a little book called Celtic Benediction by J Philip Newell.  As I read it, it was so meaningful that I wanted to share a portion of it with you.  May it draw you closer to your Creator:

"Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession

For the night followed by day

for the idle winter ground

followed by the energy of spring

for the infolding of the earth

followed by bursts of unfolding

thanks be to you, O God.

For rest and wakefulness

stillness and creativity

reflection and action

thanks be to you.

Let me know in my own soul and body

the rhythms of creativity that you have established.
Let me know in my family and friendships
the disciplines of withdrawal and the call to engagement.
Let me know for my world
the cycles of renewal
given by you for healing and health
the pattern of the seasons
Given by you for the birth of new life.

Pray for the coming day

and for the life of the world

Closing Prayer

In the busyness of this day

grant me a stillness of seeing, O God.

In the conflicting voices of my heart

grant me a calmness of hearing.

Let my seeing and hearing 

my words and my actions

be rooted in a silent certainty of your presence.

Let my passions for life

and the longings for justice that stir within me

be grounded in the experience of your stillness.

Let my life be rooted in the ground of your peace, O God,

let me be rooted in the depths of your peace."