“…and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 Amplified
Welcome God, welcome,
Welcome into this day.
Welcome into its fears and or pain,
Welcome into its beauty unfurling.
Welcome God, welcome,
Welcome into this day.
Welcome into its struggles.
Welcome into the joy it holds.
Welcome God Welcome,
Welcome into this day.
Whatever lies before us.
Welcome into this day.
By Christine Sine
I read this prayer a couple of days ago and I thought it was a nice way to begin the day. As I was reflecting on it I thought, yes, I already do believe that God is in every moment of my life, so why would I need to invite God into my day when surely it is more a matter of God welcoming me into a new day. Then I realized how, at times, I ignore or fail to acknowledge the ever-present God in my thoughts and words and actions. I do indeed need to welcome God into my day. God never barges in, but stands at the door waiting to be invited in, waiting for me to open myself to God’s presence in each new day.
Maybe when we welcome God each morning to be present, we are simply asking God to be in our experiences and emotions that fills our days. If you are like me then you might have had a rollercoaster of emotions through these last 5 months (and not just the last 5 months), and I’m sure more to come before things return to some sort of normalcy.
We seem to be bombarded every day with things that can be unsettling in the news, in the lives of our family and friends and our own personal lives. But in Lamentations 3:22-23 says “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
I find increasingly that, in our daily routine, I need to pause frequently and commit my experiences and my emotions to God. Only as I face the reality of who I am and what is going on in our world can I really enjoy the intimacy of a God who cares for me and welcomes me into every aspect of my day. May it be so for you too.
Comforting Lord, we come to you emptying our cares and anxieties. Most Holy Spirit, be in our experiences, fill us with renewed joy for each new day and wrap us once more in your grace and mercy. Amen.
Peace, Brenda