Summer

Dear God,

Thank you for summer. For time to relax and sleep in. For time to spend with friends. For time to play sports. For time to laze around and watch TV. For time to learn something new. For time to play games. For time to do absolutely nothing. Thank you for the time that is summer. Help me to appreciate it, and to use it to its fullest. But also, please help me to spend time just relaxing and doing nothing, because sometimes, the ability to do that is the best part of summer.

Thank you.

Amen.

Summer is almost half over. I can't believe it. My summer was lazy and relaxing and pleasant at the beginning. Now it is full of things to do. Then it will be relaxing again...but only a short time after, it will be over, and I will be returning to school. I think its important to take a break to appreciate it.

Patience

This week I've been finding more than anything that I need to learn to be more patient. Though this has certainly not been the only week I've wished for more patience, its something I figure everyone needs to think a little more about trying to use and get better at sometimes. I once heard a quote- I regret to say I dont know from where-that went something like, "When we ask for patience, God doesnt just give us patience. He puts us in situations in which we need to demonstrate patience. That way we learn." I thought it was very wise, and it sort of got me thinking about patience in general. So, I wrote this prayer.

Lord,

Please help me to have the strength to demonstrate patience when I'm in the hardest situations, along with the smallest, everyday situations we face each and every day. Please give me the patience to deal with others; not only the strangers on the street, the kids at school, or even with my friends, but with my family most of all. Give me the wisdom to have patience with time, nature, and my lot in life; when i feel like things aren't going my way, and even when I feel like everything is right in my life. Also teach me to have patience with myself, as I learn and grow and mature in Your light, oh God.

Amen.

I Will Never

My God,

I will Never let the rain ruin my day
I will Never let the wind blow You away.
I will Never let a sickness keep me down
I will Never let a smile turn into a frown.
I will Never abandon my family or friends
I will Never see the world come to an end.

But most of all,
I will Never stop believing in You because
I love You with all my heart.
I go to You when I am happy
I go to You when I am sad.
I go to You when I am worried
I go to You when I am mad.
You are always there to help no matter what my mood is
And I am most grateful that You have patience to even listen to me.
Kneeling at Your presence I pray especially to Never take advantage of your kindness
for there is no greater gift in the world that could bring peace and harmony.

Amen.

Beauty

Dear God,

You are beautiful beyond belief
You made me in Your image
Help me to see that I am beautiful

Help me to see beauty in others
Beauty in the poor
Beauty in the angry
Beauty in the sad
Beauty in the joyful
Beauty in the merciful
Beauty in the merciless

Help me to be beautiful
Beautiful in my works
Beautiful in my words
Beautiful in my relationships
With my family
My friends
And You

Thank you for making me beautiful
Thank you for showing me beauty
Thank you for helping me know that I am beautiful

Amen.



Earlier this week, I saw a show, and they were talking about how beauty comes from within. I think that that is an important thing. I know it is a little bit cliche, perhaps, but I think it is true, and I am glad that people try to take the media image of beautiful and replace it with a beautiful image that is real and believable. I think that when you carry yourself with dignity and you are comfortable in your own skin, people will find you beautiful. That is what I find beautiful in people, that self-confidence and pride. And I think that God is the perfect person to ask for help to achieve that self-confidence and to be able to see yourself and others as beautiful and dignified.