Birthday Seeds

I've claimed that it is hard to buy presents for my husband - not because he isn't appreciative, but because he tends to get things that he needs as they arise. But I think I may be harder. I too buy things that I need, or want, throughout the year. I wear the same pair of earrings 98% of the time, I don't wear cologne, I don't get massages, I don't enjoy shopping that much so gift certificates are not hardly an option. What's a guy supposed to do??? He listens! He listens to the verbal clues from weeks earlier: "I bought my own birthday present this year, a Nintendo DS, so don't get anything else." And he listens to the non-verbal clues. He gave me seeds! Not because I have a green thumb, but after reading the entry about the Angel charm that can carry seeds.



My prayer for the congregation?


Dear God, May we have ears to listen attentively, and to find small meaningful ways to let others know we heard and understood their concerns. I pray that families listen to each other; that our congregation listens to each others hopes and joys; that we listen as a whole to our community and hear their distress and needs; and that we listen to the earth's sounds of vitality and the call for replenishment. May we listen for the call in our lives and the call for our congregation. Let us be mindful of the obvious, and alert for the quieter undercurrents of your presence. Let us know of the love of others in our lives and give the gift of love to our families and to our enemies. Amen.