Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.” (Isaiah 40: 28-29)

 Early morning hush. Not a sound in my world but pen scratching lined paper. Stillness in the translucent morning air; quiet with you who carved out this slot for us.

I bring you empty hands and an eager heart. Fill them both I ask.

I choose to honor you with the first fruits of my day, to worship you for the adventure of life worth celebrating. The flavor of good coffee in my mouth, the taste of your Word filling my heart – sweetly satisfying, bold intensity, startling conviction.

I wait to hear from you. But first, your cleansing please. Search my heart and weed out those poisonous plants of selfishness, irritability, pride. Wash away my “too-much-self” – the tendency to focus on me. I am prone to have my emotions front and center, too concerned with pleasing others, too lax in pleasing you. Far too often I am too slow to listen, too quick to respond, too short on prayer, too slow to trust your promises.

You have only done me good all the days of my life. Your Word has been a balm in sorrow; a bugle call to awaken my indifference; a clarion call to rejoice, regardless; a cleansing from sin; a carrying through, a lifting up, a setting right. I have found your Word to be life to my bones and health to my soul. Packed with your goodness, it produces peace in me that spills out generously on others.

Incredible concept – your Spirit living within me, holy God taking up residence in this unworthy frame, righteous Ruler reigning when I have so little to offer you, Savior within this needy soul.

I come to sit at your feet before I madly rush around on mine. You promise that those who wait on you will renew their strength and mount up with wings like eagles (see Isaiah 40:29). Just so Lord. Tuck me within the safety of your wings and fly for me. Allow me to hide out in the very shadow of that enormous span.

You tell me in James to ask you for wisdom and not doubt that you will give ample supply. You tell me to consider trials as an opportunity to praise you for the depth it will produce. You teach me to value spiritual wealth rather than idolizing monetary gains. In your economy, the size of pocketbooks and portfolios are inconsequential and irrelevant. I’m glad of that.

In the midst of today’s busy times and hectic pace, in the middle of the multitude of much to do, shine through with your glorious light. May my thoughts bring you pleasure, and my words be marked by kindness and love even when pressed up against tall orders and frayed nerves.

Give me your wisdom to balance all the pieces. When they topple over, gift me with your grace to bend low and begin again.

Elizabeth A Mitchell

Photo Credit: Anshu A on Unsplash