Dear Lord Heavenly Father:

Please accept this prayer of thanksgiving.

You brought our girls home safely last night. They slept in their beds, and Gary and I slept in ours. You gave me a long night of sleep, contented. When I came downstairs, you had provided hot coffee on the stove, a gift from my daughters; all I needed was to fill my mug. You gave us a quiet morning; Clare and Callan clacking contentedly on their computers, making plans for the days ahead, Gary in the studio, working. You supplied breakfast – one half of a roll made yesterday, that when toasted and buttered, satisfied my stomach and soul.

And being the generous God that you are, you provided the most beautiful day I can remember. Snow. Snow everywhere. It swirled in the air and stuck to the windows. It quieted this city. Sirens were infrequent. No noises from buses, or trucks, or even cars penetrated the snowy silence. The snow is thick and fluffy on the ground, and sticking to the branches of trees, now almost completely bare all along the street. And there is humor – someone lifted the wiper blades away from the windshield of his car, bringing to mind a large, white beetle bug. I refreshed the birds’ food and they endured the wind to eat from the feeder, then dived under Gary’s car for safety.

All my needs are met. Food is warming in the oven. We have quiche, rolls, salad, and chai. Clare’s cats are sleeping on a chair. My husband is at my side. Bible and prayer was particularly satisfying this morning, and the snow will stop later today, and the beauty will be indescribable.

Oh, Lord, please forgive how my contentment rests in tangible comforts. Thank you for not taking this away from me though too much of my joy rests in this physical security. Please, Lord, grow my faith that all my joy will rest in You, and protect me from a small view of you, my glorious God.