Ahhhhh. Picture it. A day at the beach and not many people are around. You can lay your towel down and set a few things out for your beach time. You see a few familiar faces but they're focused on their family time, which is great, because you're feeling you just need a little 'you time'.
The water is the perfect temperature. The sun is out but it's not humid. The sand isn't too hot to the touch. The smell of the sea breeze is refreshing and the sounds are so relaxing.
What do you do next? Are you up for a swim? Do you read a book? Have a snack? People watch? Hmmmmm. I'd be in that water so fast...
Today, I hope you are able to take a breath, with that image in mind. I hope you have a few moments to think "yay, a new week is upon us" and you're ready to conquer it. Mine looks a little overwhelming as I try to squeeze a lot in so I feel better about putting work aside for August. But I also broke that list down into feasible chunks with some time to breathe... and to visit.
A prayer for us today:
God of all, thank you for the gift of another day. Thank you for imaginations, images, sights, sounds, and dreams. Be with us as we start off the week. Calm our anxieties, grant us grace, and infuse us with gratitude and kindness. Be with all who are taking part in the Olympics - may they be safe, as well as the residents. We hold Art & Carol in our prayers in hopes that they are getting what they need in this time. We hold all those who are recovering from surgeries and all those who are living with illness or disease as well, knowing that you are with them... and praying that they are comfortable and have the care they need. Be with those who are lonely, O God, and may they know that many of us are just a call/text/email/message away. Be our strength when we feel weak, our hope when we feel hopeless and our joy when we're feeling less joyful. Help us to hear your song in our hearts.
In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
The water is the perfect temperature. The sun is out but it's not humid. The sand isn't too hot to the touch. The smell of the sea breeze is refreshing and the sounds are so relaxing.
What do you do next? Are you up for a swim? Do you read a book? Have a snack? People watch? Hmmmmm. I'd be in that water so fast...
Today, I hope you are able to take a breath, with that image in mind. I hope you have a few moments to think "yay, a new week is upon us" and you're ready to conquer it. Mine looks a little overwhelming as I try to squeeze a lot in so I feel better about putting work aside for August. But I also broke that list down into feasible chunks with some time to breathe... and to visit.
A prayer for us today:
God of all, thank you for the gift of another day. Thank you for imaginations, images, sights, sounds, and dreams. Be with us as we start off the week. Calm our anxieties, grant us grace, and infuse us with gratitude and kindness. Be with all who are taking part in the Olympics - may they be safe, as well as the residents. We hold Art & Carol in our prayers in hopes that they are getting what they need in this time. We hold all those who are recovering from surgeries and all those who are living with illness or disease as well, knowing that you are with them... and praying that they are comfortable and have the care they need. Be with those who are lonely, O God, and may they know that many of us are just a call/text/email/message away. Be our strength when we feel weak, our hope when we feel hopeless and our joy when we're feeling less joyful. Help us to hear your song in our hearts.
In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.