Tag: Prayer

First Snowfall of the Season

Piling high on our deck and still coming down.
Piling high on our deck and still coming down.

A Place Inside Me                           

There is a place inside that needs white –

Seeing the first snowfall draws a quick breath of content.

There is a place inside that needs brown –

Smelling the aroma of fresh ground coffee brewing.

There is a place inside that needs golden yellow –

Feeling the warmth of a fire on this cool morning.

There is a place inside that needs green –

The beauty of an evergreen tree standing tall.

There is a place inside that needs God –

To bring it all together in peace.

There is a place inside that needs movement

Rocking in a rocker moving closer to God in prayer.      (11/02)

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And a hint of red from the cardinal is an added bonus!

Outside our window, at the bird feeder.
Outside our window, at the bird feeder.

A Christmas Festival Angel

Three years ago, around this time of year, my husband was laid off his job. One evening back then, when I was working at the Christmas Festival, an older woman was sitting in the lobby near the box office. I don’t even remember how we struck up a conversation but I found out she lives out of state and has relatives in the festival so came to see the Christmas Festival for the first time that year. As we talked I shared about my husband’s job loss. She encouraged me that evening and said she would pray for me, then we parted ways.

Fast forward three years to Thursday night. She came back to attend the Christmas Festival and came to the box office to check on me. She told me she often wondered how things had turned out for me. I was blessed by this. We visited awhile and she promised she would continue to pray for me…and she would add my friend’s family to her prayer list.

Our conversation was sweet. I told her I wished she lived in my town so we could get together for tea every now and then. I’m delighted to know, and truly believe, she is praying for me and my friend! I’m grateful. I’m calling her my Christmas Festival Angel.

Renewed Again

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Vibrant  colors on the trees: red, yellow, orange, lime green, with the deep blue October sky as the backdrop. Leaves gently fall, creating a mosaic carpet to walk upon.

Creation calling me to experience its beauty.

Once again I am grateful for eyes to see, ears to hear, and the sense of smell and touch and taste.

The earth is preparing to rest, but will be renewed again.  I trust the same is true for me.

October 2004

2 Corinthians 4:16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.    (NLT)

 

 

 

 

Ava Maria

IMG_1589The sun was shining and the sky was  blue the day we went on a three hour boat cruise through the Fjord-du-Saguenay.  Hills with lush shades of greens and rocky cliffs met the Saguenay River forming the lovely fjord.

We voyaged up the river and then turned around. On the way back the boat slowed down and the tour guide pointed out a statue of Mary (35 feet high) on the side of a cliff. The story is this: In the winter of 1878 a salesman who traveled the roads in and around Quebec was crossing the Saguenay when the ice broke and he and his horse and sleigh were pulled beneath the icy water. He was alone and helpless. Knowing he was dying he prayed to the Blessed Virgin Mary to save him. He miraculously survived and knew the Virgin Mary had assisted him. He commissioned this statue to be built to honor her.

The boat idled along  and the song Ava Maria resounded over the loud speaker. It was an unexpected but holy moment.

Here’s the English translation of the Latin prayer Ava Maria:

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and in the hour of our death. Amen.

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