a moment

I paused for a moment as I looked out my kitchen window. Few incarcerated folks have much of a view. Some see other prison buildings and asphalt and sky. Some get a glimpse of folks going about in the free world. Some have horticulture programs that bring unexpected color and pleasant landscaping. It is the same from day to day, day in , day out, year in, year out, often even between institutions.

So how can I make use of this window in my world?

I will thank God: for the birds a neighbor feeds faithfully, for grass that does not need cutting in the winter months, for trees whose bare branches remind me of the circle of life and the hope of spring and the evergreens that remind me of the durable nature of life, for the sun and the rain and winter storms each in their turn.

I will ask God to bless the neighbors struggling with illness, family stress, loss and sadness, financial challenges and those who are actively seeking God and and those who are not aware that God is caring for them.

I will praise God for being the same every day: all forgiving, all powerful, all loving, all healing, all joy, always wooing and pursuing us when we are estranged. I will praise God for welcoming us wholly and without reservation when we quit trying to make all the other stuff be enough to meet our needs. I will praise God for persistently hanging on to us through times of confusion, doubt and error that we might escape the temptation to trust anything but God.

I will ask God to teach me to surrender completely to His Will, seek diligently the opportunities he lays before me and accept the unique combination of challenges and blessings He has chosen to allow me to serve God at all times and in all places according to His Design to reflect His love and glory into the world around me.