I'm Back

 Hello My Friends,

I took a long break from the Episcopal Cowgirl as a result of the pandemic.  I was new to blogging when the pandemic hit, and found that, after a few pandemic posts, I lacked much inspiration for things to write.  My husband and I were not miserable during lockdown, and we did not come down with covid, but life was very insular, as you all know.  If you read my blog before, thank you for your patience as I have waited for inspiration to strike. When my grandson was younger, he would return to a room after a short absence and announce, "I'm back!". So, after a long absence, I'll just copy Bentley (who would be embarrassed now that he's 12).

I figured I would be prompted by the Holy Spirit when a sustainable writing practice was on the horizon. That came this morning as I was preparing an early lunch. My dear companion essentially said, "I fill your heart and mind with a constant stream of prayers. Why don't you write them down and share them?" So that's what I intend to do.  I love writing prayers, they are with me always, and I think I can keep this up, with help, of course.

I will start with the prayers that flowed yesterday, my younger daughter's 33rd birthday:

Gracious and generous God, thank you for my beloved Emily.  She has brought enormous joy to me throughout her life.  Watch over her in this new year.  Keep her healthy and safe and nurture her marriage to precious Sam.  Grow their love with each passing year and shower your blessings upon their common life. 

You have taught me a most important lesson about Yourself through my adopted daughters.  Their loving birth mothers gave them life, and then gave them up with no expectation of anything in return. I never met those 2 young women, but they gave me my most beautiful gifts. They modeled for me how You love us all.  When something happens and I whine, "That's not fair!", I am reminded that it's "not fair" the other direction as well. I did nothing to deserve the beautiful family you made of the 4 of us. Your love and blessings are freely given.

So, as I lift up my gratitude, I ask that You shower those birth mothers with every good gift.  May they have health, love, security, and the things we all need to thrive.

In Jesus's name, Amen