The shape of a leaf.

 Come let us ring out our joy to the Lord; hail the rock of our salvation. Psalm 95:1

The leaves are turning, autumn is here, and there is a different bird song  in the air as the Crow adds his voice to the bird choir and there below my feet in the sacred space  two  tiny ants struggle with a crumb, a feast they have found to take home to their friends, and I shift my feet slightly so as to not disturb their path. Such sightings leave me in awe of an incredible God who creates such small but highly intelligent creatures, and then my eyes are drawn to the lovely pink of the Japanese wind flowers their long, slender stems swaying quietly in the breeze, another gift for today - a memory that goes with me.

I read a lovely quote (anon) which said. 'Enjoy something good and beautiful today, even if its just the shape of a leaf.'

May the peace of God fill your life every single day.    Anne, servant of the Lord.  

                                                                      The shape of a leaf.

                                                

                                               

Its yours!

 The great love of God Oh how lavishly given - the pearl of great price and the treasure of heaven. (TIS 164)

The words of this lovely hymn came to my mind when my eyes were drawn to pearl like drops of precious water hanging on the leaves of a tree in the garden as the rain softly fell in the early morning. Life giving, life sustaining, drops of rain. I love it when my eyes settle on an image about me and there flows a bible verse or words of a song such as this  -  all because I looked at a pearl shaped rain drop on a bush  that reminded me of the great love that God has for us all.  'It is yours it is ours O how lavishly given, the pearl of great price and the treasure of heaven.' 

Show us Lord your love. Open our eyes. Show us your love.             Anne, servant of the Lord.

                                                    pearl like drops of water.

Surprise us Lord, surprise us!

May my prayer be like incense before you. Psalm 141:2

Early morning dew was still on the pure white flowers of the gardenia bush, its beautiful rich perfume rising from the pot at my feet and settling into my sacred space. I took a deep breath and inhaled the perfume it was offering and held it in for as long as I could. I wanted to catch it, hold it, and keep it forever.   It was the perfume of God and my prayer of thanks lingered long. Macrina Wiederkehr  would say: ' Surprise us with small joys and pieces of beauty to savor through the day.'  And to God I say: ' let me take it in, let me live with it for the moment, let it become an imprint on my heart and mind and soul. May it fill my day.

Mane Nobiscum Domine - remain with us Lord.    Anne, servant of the Lord.

Be present Lord.

 Great are the works of the Lord, to be pondered by all who delight in them. Psalm 111

The hue of day break in its soft pink and pastel blue light falls softly across the folding dark of night and my sacred space comes into being and I 'feel' that thin space between dark and light, stillness and peaceful quiet where there is only self and God, where you and God are all in all, and my heart stirs   with love for the Lord because I have,  in the moment, recognised who the creator of such beauty and quiet is. I wonder what it is that stirs your heart as you recognise the presence of the Lord in the moment?

As you bless me with light at the suns rising, shine on me now with love.  Anne, servant of the Lord.

                                                the colour of day break.