Liturgy 057: Blessings in the Valley

🕊️ A Prayer and a Blessing to See What is Not Immediate

☕️ Lectio Divina

No such thing as a life that’s better than yours.

— Jermaine Lamarr Cole

Give thanks in all things,
for this is God’s will for you
in Christ Jesus.

— Apostle Paul

🪴 Prayer

LORD
I live in a
tear it down
world

Everywhere I look
someone is
airing out
displeasure
on paychecks
on prices
on pastors
on policies

Truth told
typically
its me

But this morning
I’m listening
and Your
loving-kindness
like an espresso
empowers me

To quietly refuse
herd culture
mentality

To smile and conform not
to patterns of
armchair
theologies

To instead
exercise
gratitude

God
I give
thanks

Like getting to the gym
in a time where
everyone is resigned
to be overweight

God I elect
to build up, not tear down
to say grace
to uncover the demons
behind my complaints

You are good
So am I

This world is full
of your glory
of blessings disguised

Grant me the windows to see
your goodness
around and inside

🕊️ Blessing

Dear Friend, I know you can write a dissertation on what is wrong with the world. I also know — God made you a visionary. You see what is not immediate.

May you have eyes to see the blessings in the valley, the lifelines in the storm. May you know the abundance and nearness of God wherever you find yourself this day.

In the Name of the One
who Gave Thanks
to His Father in Heaven

Amen