Are we going to go through those so-few years with limited time for our family and friends, with unseeing eyes for the beauties around us, concentrating on accumulating money and things when we have to leave them all behind anyway?

~~Catherine Marshall

This morning’s prayer and meditation for Sally’s healing comes from Take Heart, Oh God: Riches from the Greatest Christian Women Writers of All Time.

What sort of beauty causes you to stop for a moment and gaze? Do you marvel at the colors of a sunset or the vivid hues of fall? The smell in the air after a rainstorm? The sound of wind in the trees?

What about the people in your life? Are you eager for moments with your children, your parents, even far-flung relatives? Do your friends get the best of your time?

Or are you too busy for all of it, planning to appreciate it “later”—once you have all the money and time and stuff you need? Honestly, will that moment ever come?

Time is short, dear sister. A beautiful world full of loving people is waiting. Your friends, your family, even the creation outside your door would like a moment of your time.

Pause. Savor. Enjoy It is a gift from God.

Prayer for Meditation

God, give me eyes to see the beautiful gifts you have given me.    

Scripture for Meditation

Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:17

Music for Meditation

For the Beauty of the Earth 

If you feel led to do so, please post a note of encouragement in the comment section below, or send your note by email to PrayersForSally@gmail.com

For The Beauty of the Earth

Our prayer and meditation this morning for Sally’s healing is an excerpt from Praying Through Cancer by Susan Sorensen. Excerpt written by Diane Lankford.

Consider the ravens: They do sow or reap,

they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them.

And how much more valuable you are than birds!

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

Since you cannot do this very little thing,

why do you worry about the rest?

~Luke 12:24-26

When we bought a new house, my only request was a screened-in porch. Little did I know how important that porch would become to me three years later when I was diagnosed with late-stage ovarian cancer. The porch became my recovery room as well as any sanctuary where I could sit, worship, reflect, and meditate on God’s wonderful creation.

One of those creations was the birds. They flew so gracefully, sang so melodiously, and ate from my feeders so thankfully. I knew God was watching over them, yet I was much more valuable than they in His sight! What a comfort and peace that brought me on days when I was bald, weak, and weary from fighting this disease. There were days I did not feel like reading or singing, but I could enjoy the birds singing God’s promises to me.

Seven years later, I’m still enjoying my screened-in porch. I look forward to entering my peaceful sanctuary and enjoying God’s presence and creation.

Prayer for Meditation

Heavenly Father, thank You so much for creating this wonderful world for me to live in. Thank you for sending the birds to sing, the trees that grow tall and point to the heavens, the beautiful blue skies, and even the gray and rainy days. These are gifts from You. All I have to do is receive and enjoy them.

Open my eyes, Lord, during days when I am too weak to care. Help me see Your wondrous works in all the nature around me. Help me also release my worries to You because You ask me, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” I know from the Bible that all of my days were numbered even before I was born. It is up to me to make the most of every day You give.

Thank You for the “sanctuaries” where I am able to enjoy the gifts given by You, my Creator

Scripture for Meditation

Prayer References: Luke 12:25; Psalm 139:16

Music for Meditation

St. Paul's Cathedral Choir For The Beauty of The Earth

If you feel led to do so, please post a note of encouragement in the comment section below or send your note by email to PrayersForSally@gmail.com.