Patsy Clairmont

Omega

patsyclairmont — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 08:00:26 +0000

Omega, I’m relieved that You have the final say…in life, work, relationships, politics, wars, and death. Not that I don’t question Your ways and Your timing, but You knew we wouldn’t fully understand Your divine agenda. What brings me comfort and peace is realizing that, even when I don’t “get it”, I can trust Your loving heart and Your perfect plan.

If there were no plan in place, no sovereign hand to lead, we would live without purpose, having no resources beyond ourselves, and left to the whim of every wind. I take refuge in Your finality. Amen.

But the plan of the LORD stands forever, wise designs through all generations. Psalm 33:11

Day Brightener

patsyclairmont — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 08:00:47 +0000

Day Brightener, I awakened at dawn as the morning sun dappled my pillow. Thank You for the reassurance You have pressed into creation that affirms Your presence and overriding care. Today is packed full of responsibility, but for now I bask in the quietness of these refreshing moments.

Later, when I am knee-deep in my day, may I stop and reflect long enough to allow Your calm to influence my frenetic schedule. My busyness can cause me to place more importance on achievements than relationships. Help me to balance my activities with a heart-felt interest in others. Light my way. Amen.

LORD, every morning you hear my voice. Every morning, I tell you what I need, and I wait for your answer. Psalm 5:3

Rock of Ages

patsyclairmont — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 08:00:51 +0000

Rock of Ages, I need a solid place to stand. This tilt-a-whirl world makes me wobbly. Disasters, floods, wars, and terrorists spread like plagues throughout the land. Headlines tout insurrection of Your ways. Values thin. Apathy breeds. Negligence abounds.

Waken my sensibilities to Your high calling. Cause me to rise out of apathy’s ashes and rejoin the race. Move me past my insecurities. Use my voice for good. Give me vision to see beyond the enemy’s foils.

Though the world shake, may I stand firm in You. “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other sound is sinking sand.” Amen.

I keep the LORD before me always. Because he is close by my side, I will not be hurt. Psalm 16:8

Way Maker

patsyclairmont — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 08:00:28 +0000

Way Maker, this morning started off like a crooked path. Things were not going the way I had hoped. Irritations rubbed against my emotions like grit in a sandal. It’s taken years, but You’ve taught me that I–and others–do not need to be victims of my moods. You have taught me to gird up my mind, cast down imaginations, choose truth, and stand fast.

It’s a relief to get over myself and on with the day, focused on the way I should go. Keep me on the straight and narrow path, that I might experience the width and depth of Your provisions. Amen.

Thus says the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I, the LORD your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go. Isaiah 48:17

Merciful Messenger

patsyclairmont — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 08:00:15 +0000

Merciful Messenger, deliver me from the wasteland of excuses. I long to leave a rich history, footprints for others to follow. Yet I’m often guilty of idleness. Spark fervor within me so those who come after me will find a clear path to You.

Speak life into any barren agendas I have, that they might bring forth pleasing fruit. I realize I can do the right thing for the wrong reasons. Purify my infected motives. Cleanse me of calculated kindnesses. Instruct me in integrity.

I’m listing for Your merciful voice, tender or stern. Enable me to sprint toward truth. Amen.

Keep me from the sins of pride; don’t let them rule me. Then I can be pure and innocent of the greatest of sins. Psalm 19:13

Friend of Sinners

patsyclairmont — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 08:00:38 +0000

Friend of sinners, forgive my self-serving ways. Teach me how to take care of myself without my exacting unnecessary payment from others. Teach me servanthood without my turning it into martyrdom. Teach me success without my allowing it to inflate my ego.

Thank you, Jesus, for not shunning me for my ragged righteousness. Or abandoning me when my walk teeters. Or forsaking me when I fail miserably.

You truly love completely. In You I find companionship, forgiveness, acceptance, privilege, discipline and safety. I’m thankful for Your sandal-clad heart that keeps You close. What an honor to call You Friend. Amen.

Have mercy on me, God, in Your goodness; in Your abundant compassion blot out my offense. Psalm 51:1

Heaven’s Glory

patsyclairmont — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 08:00:16 +0000

Heaven’s Glory, I witness the declaration of Your presence above me. Pillow-tufted clouds. Scattered sunrays falling on garden floors. Winds, fluttering flags, ringing chimes, lifting kites. Endless blue skies canopying the earth.

Your handiwork shouts, sings, and whispers to us of Your divine fingerprints, holy kisses, and sacred embraces. When I am warmed by the sun, cooled by a breeze, and refreshed by Your hue-strewn artistry. I am reminded that You prepared all this for us.

I enter this day with joyful gratitude. Thank You for the wonders of creation and the glorious pleasure of Your company. Amen.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the sky proclaims its builder’s craft. Psalm 19:1

Promise Keeper

patsyclairmont — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 08:00:13 +0000

Promise Keeper, did You mean it when You said, “Love your enemies”? Because I’m struggling to love even those I genuinely care for. I justify my emotional limitations on their behavior, but I know better. My responses are my daily business before You.

Reveal my inconsistencies, that I might experience greater wholeness. Expose my narrowness, that I might experience Your fullness. Divulge my secrets, that I might experience Your emancipation.

Help me to grow a wide love and a deep character. And remind me that blame is not a worthy game.

Thank you for keeping Your promises–help me to keep mine. Amen.

Get along with each other, and forgive each other. If someone does wrong to you, forgive that person because the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13

Living Well

patsyclairmont — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 08:00:38 +0000

Living Well, I thirst. My soul is arid. The unrelenting winds of hardship have left me parched. My mind wanders from one mirage to another until I remember that You quench my thirst.

Your Word becomes mercy drops to my brittle bones. Your voice is morning dew. A sense of Your presence is summer rain. Settle on me like a well-watered garden that Your reign might cause me to grow again.

Meditating on You causes a stream to run through my desert heart. I kneel and drink, that I might rise and follow. Replenish worthy desires in me. Amen.

O God, you are my God–for you I long! For you my body yearns; for you my soul thirsts, like a land parches, lifeless, and without water. Psalm 63:1

Word of Life

patsyclairmont — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 08:00:53 +0000

Word of Life, advise me. My thoughts can spark words that cause harm; I know that was not Your intention. Instead, may I speak life-giving words. Help me to proclaim Your liberty to fear-bound captives. I want the wounded to find shelter in my conversations with them.

Thank you for those along life’s journey who have spoken kindly to me. Who have uttered words fit and wise. They have shared Your love and counsel. They have generously affirmed the gifts You placed within me that I had not recognized. I want to do that for others. Regenerate my vocabulary; permeate it with vitality. Amen.

Like golden apples in silver settings are words spoken at the proper time. Proverbs 25:11