A simple Christmas Prayer for 2021

Creator of all that is,
You are with us.

You hold your children

and our broken world

in your tenderness.

Let your Love 

shine through us

and help us

to care for each other

and all that is.

+Amen.

* * * * * * *

Most people will see Madonna and child, but this image has many other layers. It came to me as the pandemic began. I found myself climbing into God's lap to just be held. As time went on, I turned and looked with Creator at our world's brokenness, praying for wholeness for everything that is. The eagle feather is a sign of Creator, so it became part of the image early on.

Merry Christmas, dear readers. May you know yourselves to be held in love no matter what comes.

Sunday reflection on a Monday: An undivided heart

Image by Jay (my words)

Today's reflection is brought to you by
Hebrews 4: 12-13, a day late because I forgot to hit the publish button! Oops.

Your word,
O God,
is your living and active self,
a sword
that comes to separate me
from my illusions.

Too often
I divide what you have made
into opposing camps,
forgetting
that without darkness,
light cannot exist,
that joy is sweeter
once I've known sorrow,
and that my soul
needs its body
in spite of its aging
and imperfections.

But you see clearly
where my real divisions are.

You understand me
better than I know my own mind.

Depending on the day,
my divided heart fools me
into thinking myself and others
better or worse than we really are,
but you see through me
and love me
in spite of my illusions.

Though it be painful,
show me the places
where I need to grow,
to love,
and to live
according to your will for me

Give me
an undivided heart,
and lead me to wholeness.

Let me forget myself
and follow you alone.

+Amen.