Today’s Reflection: Heavenly Father, As You prune the branches of our lives, Grant us the grace to yield to Your loving hand, To surrender to Your will, And to trust in Your divine plan.
In the pruning process, may we find renewal, May we grow in love, compassion, and mercy, And may our lives bear abundant fruit, Reflecting Your glory to the world. Amen.—Jackie Schulte
Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich, who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich.
When the carols have been stilled, When the star-topped tree is taken down, When family and friends are gone home, When we are back to our schedules The work of Christmas begins: To welcome the refugee, To heal a broken planet, To feed the hungry, To build bridges of trust, not walls of fear, To share our gifts, To seek justice and peace for all people, To bring Christ’s light to the world. — by Michael Dougherty, a variation on Howard Thurman’s ‘When the Song of the Angels is Stilled’
Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich.
Today’s Reflection: Lord, teach me to find moments of peace and relaxation amidst life’s busyness. Help me to let go of stress and to trust in your care. Grant me the serenity to rest and rejuvenate, knowing that true rest is found in You. — Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration
Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich.
Today’s Reflection:Note – One of favourites, which explains why it repeats every now and then – My Lord God…I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. Therefore I will trust you always, though I may seem lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, And you will never leave me to face my perils alone. —Thomas Merton
Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich.
I’m in awe of your ways, oh Lord In me, You love and value what I don’t. You gladly use what I want to discard. If I see a dead end, You show me a path out.
If I’m blind, You make me listen. If I’m deaf, You show me the truth. When I rest, You visit my thoughts.
You lift me up when I’m humble and tame me when I’m proud. You frustrate my plans, when I’m controlling and help me advance when I give You my trust.
You show me that love is the way Because I was wounded, I could help others heal Because I was broken, I could help others to mend.
Every time I feared to trust You I was faced with your unrelenting love You left me without arguments and excuses and what was left was nothing more but awe of your ways, oh Lord. Amen — Sindy Collazo
Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich.
Today’s Reflection: Lord, I want to ask you “Please let me see,” but for some reason the words stick a little in my throat. I think a part of me fears what you want to show me. Will it be more than my mind and heart are prepared to take in? Will you throw me a curveball I didn’t expect? Help me Lord, to trust the voice deep inside of me that knows you only wish to show me the magnificent things possible with love and trust and hope in You. Amen. —Gretchen Crowder
Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich.