Today
Let me live today.
Let me be open to the miracle of this day.
Let me not miss the heart of today.
Let me find the gift of today,
hidden like a jewel in the rubble of care, duty and detail.
Let me pause to hear
the steady beat of the heart of God –
hoping, aching, sorrowing, expectant, patient,
despairing heart of God.
Listen, listen
Do you hear it?
Every so faint but steady, steady,
rhythmic organ, strong muscle,
thumping, beating, pumping, sustaining, encompassing,
wildly dancing heart of God.
Let me live this day, aware, open, listening, breathing, alive
Amen!
Opening prayer by The Rev. Virginia Going, from Women’s Uncommon Prayers, chosen and read by Bonnie L.
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Glorious morning. Birds are singing from every direction. I wandered down to the pond opposite the camelia gardens finding such joy seeing the new green of the bald cypress. Then I see a sculpture of a nude woman with one step planted while the other one is in mid-air. Stepping out into this beautiful world, taking a chance, arms raised joyfully. Oh, how grateful and blessed I am.
And, again, the childhood prayer from YWCA summer camp comes back in my consciousness:
God of the mountains, Teach me to be
Pure in thought and spirit free
Big in soul and broad in mind
Thyself through the outdoors let me find
God of the pine woods, Let me know
The joy of watching your forests grow
Grant me the deep and lasting peace
That comes from living with thy trees
God of the sunset, Help me be strong
Help me to greet life with a song
To watch, to work, to think, to do
Keeping always the stars in view.
These words of childhood have been with me for nearly 60 years. I think they have guided my being. Shaped me. Directed me. Thanks be to God.
Photo and reflection by Sue J.
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Today’s reading reminded me of the importance of being present, of living in the moment. And when we do and the opportunity for sheer joy surrounds us we are able to absorb it. Walking at Brookgreen today I was offered bird songs, lush shades of green following the heavy rains and flower blooms of many colors. I found myself laughing out loud with sheer joy at the beauty and wonder of it all.
Photos and reflection by Denise P.
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The opening prayer focused my thoughts and heart on finding the miracle of this day, the heart of today, the gift of today…. all amidst the aches and sorrows of life. Earlier in the week I had read a poem about “unspeakable joys” found amidst the extreme pain and struggle of enslaved Africans… the opportunity to live another day…. the swimming of the Ohio River to freedom, even when I don’t know how to swim. The overwhelming beauty of Brookgreen presented so many unspeakable joys today…on this day.
Magnolia perfume, lotus leaves in waiting, green upon green upon green, gentle breezes, dragonflies dancing… extreme gratitude…
Photos and reflection by Nancy L.
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