Ever present creator,
help me receive the gift of presence,
of pausing to look for your holiness in each moment–
in the patter of my toddler’s wobbly footsteps,
her waving hello to
the dog,
the trees,
the geese,
the creek,
the chicken eggs,
the neighbors,
the grass,
the mud,
the sky,
the world–
your presence is everywhere.

---

Galatians 5:22-23 But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.