Monday Manna
Blooming, newness, and hope...
Thank you so much, my friend, for subscribing to Monday Manna. I’m so glad and humbled you are here. My prayer with this little pause on Monday mornings is to offer some nourishment (“manna”) for you — via my reflection, prayer, and painting — as you are nourishing the world around you. Together, we are watching for the ways God is with us and for us as we take one day at a time…
Good morning, friends, and peace and love to you in this new week ~
I’ve been in the midst of some more travel and spring break with our kids, and so today is going to be another “A&P” day, which I’m naming them — “Art and Prayer” (which are the same thing in many ways…). Here’s a briefer post to give you a little nourishment, with more to come next week.
Spring is coming, even if slowly….we just gathered our first daffodils from the yard upon returning home a couple days ago. As we live into spring’s unfolding, let’s claim the power of blooming and newness and hope. Here is my prayer for that from my book, Ash and Starlight: Prayers for the Chaos and Grace of Daily Life.
For Springtime
Loving, Creator God,
Spring reminds me it’s
never too late to start over.
That there’s been quiet growth
over these long months
of winter when I saw nothing.
When I was called to believe
there was growth happening
beneath hard, cold soil.
And now? Glory!
I celebrate the loveliness
of all you’ve made.
The newness, Lord,
the freshness—
it inspires my soul!
Tulips in the front yard,
buds on the trees,
the voices of birds,
the cleansing of rain,
the comfort of sunshine…
Each gift renews me,
speaking of the promise within
all those months of dormancy
and preparation.
As spring awakens my physical senses,
I ask, God, for you to awaken my inner senses.
May my mind open and blossom
to the longings you’ve placed within me...
to the steps and path that will
satisfy the desires of my heart...
to the hopes and passions
you’ve planted in every
one of your children…
May I seek what will truly fulfill them.
May I journey toward their Source.
May I be guided by your gentle and wise Spirit.
It is never too late to be
what you call me to be.
Even as it takes greatest courage
and deepest humility.
With your help, I will open myself to
what I never expected before,
never experienced before,
and never thought possible.
Amen.
Psalm 16:11 * Psalm 104:24–30 * Isaiah 55:8–9
“You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy…”
—Psalm 16:11a
***
Bloom this week, friends. And as always, feel my hug.
Love and Light,
Arianne
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