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Write Now!
This blog started as a 'Lenten Writing Project', where we wrote each day in Lent. Now that Summer is here, let's keep up the discipline of writing with a weekly writing challenge! A prompt will be posted each week and anyone is welcome to join in and post their writing here or participate just by reading it.
Every writer has their own special light to add to this blog and all of your writing offerings are appreciated, whether poetry, prose, essay, thoughts, lists or comments and encouragement.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Lenten Writing Prompt #33
What are you thankful for today? Feel free to count your blessings...
I am extremely thankful that every morning is a new opportunity. Every day we are essentially reborn.
Just think, today the sun rose on a world that nobody in all of history had yet to live. Nobody. And it is in our hands.
Today is fresh and brand-new.
What we choose to bring into it from yesterday is our choice. What we choose to invite in from tomorrow is also our choice. But what if we just let today be, just as it was intended to be.
How can I count my blessings? This question moves me to rephrase Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet #43, “… let me count the ways.”
I woke this morning to sunshine. I got up and walked. That’s 4 right there.
I heard birds singing, I saw daffodils blooming, I smelled fresh coffee, I petted my little dog and felt his faithfulness, then tasted warm toast with raspberry jam; berries from my own garden. That’s more than 5 more.
I opened my computer and read my morning devotions, then showered and drove to church, where I was greeted by friends, then heard an inspirational sermon. Is that 7 more?
I am loosing count… let’s see…
Yesterday I drove to another town, where I held my first Great-grandson and visited with his parents. How shall I count that?
My blessings are more numerous than stars in the sky or grains of sand on the seashore. I am so blessed.
Tonight especially I am thankful for my son. he is a great joy to my heart. He pushes and puts me off and then holds my hand and looks me in the eye. Tonight I'm thankful ;)
aging for one more day on this earth; breathing in and out, have my senses working; and I hope, all of my faculties as well. to be here in a warm bed in this comfortably lived-in house among people I love.
able to be laugh, lament, rave, and cry with warmhearted people I'm blessed to know all across the country by touching keys that make instant connections.
in the steady, unrushed rhythm of the morning, birdsong, crazy dogs to laugh at, tea food, clothes, a vacuumed out car with gas to take us away to church of our choice.
in the midst of community hugging, laughing, listening, singing, seeking, praying; gathering up assurance, acceptance, hope to distribute.
a pocketbook for shopping; an imbiber of entertainment, good books and quiet time, approval for homework finished, listening post of conversation, writer of thoughts now ready to post.
soon down for the night with missions not completed, things unsaid, untidied; yet I'm sure I can do better, get my acts more together, and be even more thankful for just one more day.
Stealth-Praying at Costco on a busy Sunday afternoon
To all those that have toddlers, babies and energetic kids to manage, God bless your time here.
To the happy old couple shopping, blessings on your hand-holding
To the happy young couple, shopping, blessings on your hand-holding as well.
To the frustrated guy trying to jerk his cart into subservience and muttering about all the people in the way, blessings and peace to you.
To the large lady, buckling a little and breathing heavily as she walks through the throng, blessings to you and may God grant you health and wholeness
To the teenage big brother taking care of his preschooler little sister, blessings on you both - may you continue to grow in love and care for each other.
To all 5 kids quietly reading under the book display table, blessings on your safety from unseeing carts and also on your sweet quiet choices.
To the sample-givers, nattering on to the air about their products, blessings to you and know that you are loved and important just as you are.
To the shirt folders, blessings on your Sisyphus-like work. I pray that projects are more resolved for you at home.
To the dad kissing his two-month old daughter on her softly-tufted head over and over again as he rests with her on expensive lawn furniture, blessings to you and your relationship with your daughter for all the years of your lives.
To the lady walking around with a Costco cart wearing super-high heels, blessings to your feet and their resilience.
To the man who looks so haggard and tired that he also looks a little bit scary, blessings to you and to your eventual rest and rejuvination. I’ve been there.
To the man and woman with 4 kids - aged 3 months to 7 years, God bless you and your family. Truly.
To everyone with kids that has to go through the clubhouse/swingset/tent/pool aisle, blessings on your patience.
To the toddler with a sample of spaghetti all over her face and a sleeping 1 month baby in the back of the cart and a hand-knit rainbow sweater, may God grant you happiness and wholeness all the days of your life.
by Pat Mason
ReplyDeleteI am extremely thankful that every morning is a new opportunity.
Every day we are essentially reborn.
Just think, today the sun rose on a world that nobody in all of history had yet to live. Nobody. And it is in our hands.
Today is fresh and brand-new.
What we choose to bring into it from yesterday is our choice.
What we choose to invite in from tomorrow is also our choice.
But what if we just let today be,
just as it was intended to be.
What if we let today live all on its own?
It could be quite wonderful...
'Every day we are essentially reborn." I'll think about that for awhile - thanks
DeleteHow can I count my blessings? This question moves me to rephrase Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet #43, “… let me count the ways.”
ReplyDeleteI woke this morning to sunshine. I got up and walked. That’s 4 right there.
I heard birds singing, I saw daffodils blooming, I smelled fresh coffee, I petted my little dog and felt his faithfulness, then tasted warm toast with raspberry jam; berries from my own garden. That’s more than 5 more.
I opened my computer and read my morning devotions, then showered and drove to church, where I was greeted by friends, then heard an inspirational sermon. Is that 7 more?
I am loosing count… let’s see…
Yesterday I drove to another town, where I held my first Great-grandson and visited with his parents. How shall I count that?
My blessings are more numerous than stars in the sky or grains of sand on the seashore. I am so blessed.
Thank you, God.
Tonight especially I am thankful for my son. he is a great joy to my heart. He pushes and puts me off and then holds my hand and looks me in the eye. Tonight I'm thankful ;)
ReplyDeleteThanksfilled to be....
ReplyDeleteby Marlene Obie
aging for one more day on this earth;
breathing in and out,
have my senses working; and I hope,
all of my faculties as well.
to be here in a warm bed
in this comfortably lived-in house
among people I love.
able to be laugh, lament, rave, and cry
with warmhearted people I'm blessed to know
all across the country by touching keys
that make instant connections.
in the steady, unrushed rhythm
of the morning, birdsong,
crazy dogs to laugh at,
tea food, clothes,
a vacuumed out car with gas
to take us away
to church of our choice.
in the midst of community
hugging, laughing, listening,
singing, seeking, praying;
gathering up assurance,
acceptance, hope to distribute.
a pocketbook for shopping;
an imbiber of entertainment,
good books and quiet time,
approval for homework finished,
listening post of conversation,
writer of thoughts now ready to post.
soon down for the night
with missions not completed,
things unsaid, untidied;
yet I'm sure I can do better,
get my acts more together,
and be even more thankful
for just one more day.
saying Good Night Lord.
Stealth-Praying at Costco on a busy Sunday afternoon
ReplyDeleteTo all those that have toddlers, babies and energetic kids to manage, God bless your time here.
To the happy old couple shopping, blessings on your hand-holding
To the happy young couple, shopping, blessings on your hand-holding as well.
To the frustrated guy trying to jerk his cart into subservience and muttering about all the people in the way, blessings and peace to you.
To the large lady, buckling a little and breathing heavily as she walks through the throng, blessings to you and may God grant you health and wholeness
To the teenage big brother taking care of his preschooler little sister, blessings on you both - may you continue to grow in love and care for each other.
To all 5 kids quietly reading under the book display table, blessings on your safety from unseeing carts and also on your sweet quiet choices.
To the sample-givers, nattering on to the air about their products, blessings to you and know that you are loved and important just as you are.
To the shirt folders, blessings on your Sisyphus-like work. I pray that projects are more resolved for you at home.
To the dad kissing his two-month old daughter on her softly-tufted head over and over again as he rests with her on expensive lawn furniture, blessings to you and your relationship with your daughter for all the years of your lives.
To the lady walking around with a Costco cart wearing super-high heels, blessings to your feet and their resilience.
To the man who looks so haggard and tired that he also looks a little bit scary, blessings to you and to your eventual rest and rejuvination. I’ve been there.
To the man and woman with 4 kids - aged 3 months to 7 years, God bless you and your family. Truly.
To everyone with kids that has to go through the clubhouse/swingset/tent/pool aisle, blessings on your patience.
To the toddler with a sample of spaghetti all over her face and a sleeping 1 month baby in the back of the cart and a hand-knit rainbow sweater, may God grant you happiness and wholeness all the days of your life.
I laughed out loud and I will never look at people at Costco in the same way again. Thank you!
ReplyDelete:):):)
ReplyDeletes.h.
Lenten Prompt #33 Sunday March 25, 2012
ReplyDeletewritten: May 23, 2012
Blessing Count
......sIsters
.......Ava
.......Mom
.......Two daughters
.......Health
.....clAra
...frieNds
...musiK
.......Four grandchildren
.....chUrch
.......Life in Christ
.charloTte
marcellO
.......Dad
......dAnce
....praYer
s.h.