My Joys Mount As Do The Birds
Lord, I am happy this morning.
Birds and angels sing and I am exultant.
The universe and our hearts are open to your grace.
I feel my body and give thanks.
The sun burns my skin and I thank you.
The breakers are rolling toward the seashore,
the sea foam splashes our house.
I give thanks.
Lord, I rejoice in your creation,
and that you are behind it, and before,
and next to it, and above — and within us.
Lord, your sun is balmy,
it caresses the grass and the cassava out of the clay,
tops it with flowers,
draws out the mahogany,
throws birds into the sky,
and out of us it drums
a song of praise for you.
– Excerpt from a traditional prayer, Ghana
For what can you give thanks this morning, in the very place you are?
This is Day 6 of Right Here. Throughout October, I’m joining with a community of other bloggers (over 1,500 strong! with The Nester), who are writing for 31 days about the same topic. To find all posts in 31 Days of Right Here, click here, or see the listing below.
To continue receiving these daily words, subscribe to this blog on the sidebar at left, click here to Like Draw Near on Facebook or follow me on Twitter @AshleyMLarkin. I’m immensely grateful to have you on the journey with me.
POSTS IN THE SERIES
An introduction: Welcome to 31 Days of Right Here
Day 1: For You, Too
Day 2: Fear’s Invitation
Day 3: My Portion
Day 4: Five Minute Friday – Write
Day 5: Rise and Shine
Day 6: My Joys Mount As Do the Birds
* Prayer found in An African Prayer Book, compiled by Desmond Tutu *
Connecting through the power of stories written, spoken and lived
Lord, I rejoice in your creation,
and that you are behind it, and before,
and next to it, and above — and within us. Love the expanse of His love. Almost unfathomable but, praise God I know it to be real. Praying the undeniable expression of His love today. Visiting from #31Days!
Amen!
Dear Ashley
This is such a beautiful prayer! You can see that this is from people who lives close to the land and make their living from the ground. I am thankful today for reading this prayer.
Blessings XX
Mia
I agree, Mia. A praise by ones who know this earth, sky and creatures. I just love this prayer!
This is beautiful. I found you through Sarah’s sacro speco and this is lovely, sacred space for me today.
Thanks so much for letting me know you were here, Katie. Happy to have met you through Sarah’s new linkup. We all need more quiet, sacred space in this frantic world of ours. Thankful you found a glimpse of it here.
Hi Ashley – saying hello from the (in)courage writing group and linking up through Sarah’s Sacro Speco link – and looks like the 31 Days project as well! What a beautiful image here and an even more beautiful prayer. What a way to begin a Sunday morning. Thank you for this lovely pause and place to breathe.
Happy to be crossing paths with you in all those circles, Rebekah. Much love — and breath — to you.
I love this beautifully simple prayer. As I started I thought it was your words in a poetic prayer. Thanks for choosing it and sharing it with us. Bless you sweet sweet friend.
Ashley, thank you for sharing this sweet “psalm”! “Draws out the mahogany and throws birds into the air…and out of us it drums songs of praise”…what beautiful, active language of the Creator’s presence in the everyday! This was a blessing to read!
Ashley – this is so BEAUTIFUL! Thanks so much for linking up! I’ve been traveling this past week seeing my in-laws and in between being stranded in various cities with continual airline delays, I haven’t been able to get online like I normally would have. Seeing your words and pictures today blessed my heart! So enjoying getting to know you through the fb writers group, and through this linkup. Really enjoying your 31 Days series. Blessings!
Sarah, I love your Sacro Speco linkup. I’ve had a hard time visiting many places this month with my first attempt at 31 days. Phew. Thank you for stopping in. Grateful for all our crossing paths.
Loved this prayer :-)