Today I just want my prayer to be all about thanks, as I sit on this old country porch, in this old World War 1 creeky Georgian style house at Fort Casey. I am thankful for the quietness of the morning. The smell of the Puget Sound, the song of the morning birds. While going over Deception Pass yesterday, thank you for the view, even the awesome construction of the bridge. The beautiful sunsets while sitting on the bluff last evening. Thank you.
For the deer family, mama and two fawns crossing over the lawn. Walks on the beach. Driftwood, beach rocks, the smell of the dried grass from our drought. Thank you.
The smell of the beach, and the sweet smell of fallen, dried pine needles. A call to my friend Susan W. when I needed some advice and accountability. Thank you.
Lord, all my senses come alive when I quiet myself, turn off the noise in my head, and be still long enough to be able to sense Your presence. At this moment I am so thankful and in awe of the gifts of Your creation. To sense your presence in the smells of the pine needles, (one of my favorite smells) To smell the dried grass. The sight of sunsets while sitting on a bluff, never cease to amaze me, as if You paint each one just for me to enjoy. The sound of surf as it comes to shore. The rooster as it does it's morning err..err..err..err..errrrr. The taste of a good cup of coffee, and the best coconut raspberry muffin I have ever tasted..yum! Thank you
The sound of this old country house, with the creeks in the old wood floor and stairs. The sunrise as it rises over the farms. A morning walk to the beach, a cute little bunny that just hopped across the lawn. (Not to thankful for these annoying no seeums that keep pestering me and flying around my face trying to distract me, or the mosquito that keeps buzzing by my ear). Oops, got off track, this is all about giving thanks and being grateful.
Back on track. Lord, I just wanted to take these few moments and give You thanks for times like this. To reflect on Your goodness and Your blessings. Help me as I return home from this mini retreat, that I will be able to return with all it's many distractions, decisions, and pressures, that I will be able to maintain this attitude of thankfulness and not forget, so why I love to journal, so I won't forget.
That I can praise You even in storms of life, as the song goes, "Blessed be your name when the sun is shining down on me, when the world is all that it should be, Blessed be your name." But even better, that I am able to sing, "Blessed be Your name on the road marked with suffering, though theirs pain in the offering, Blessed Be Your Name! Thank you.
