How long will it take, Lord?
How long before my mind learns and my heart believes
that today is the only day I have:
this is the day I have with you,
this is the day you’ve made for me,
this is the day you’ve given me…
How long, Lord, before I accept
that yesterday’s gone, all my yesterdays are history,
that « living » in my past is a mirage,
a fantasy and even, sometimes
that yesterday’s gone, all my yesterdays are history,
that « living » in my past is a mirage,
a fantasy and even, sometimes
– a nightmare…
How long before I open my eyes to see
that yesterday’s gone and you’ve given me a new day,
a day to spend in your company:
in your presence, in your peace,
that yesterday’s gone and you’ve given me a new day,
a day to spend in your company:
in your presence, in your peace,
in your protective embrace…
How long, Lord, before I accept
that tomorrow’s simply not yet here,
that my effort to anticipate it,
to try to live in a day that’s not yet come,
robs me of the strength, the joy, the love,
that my effort to anticipate it,
to try to live in a day that’s not yet come,
robs me of the strength, the joy, the love,
the peace of the day at hand,
day you’ve given me, the day you’ve made…
day you’ve given me, the day you’ve made…
With your help I might need to prepare for tomorrow
but I can’t today resolve or deal with or change
but I can’t today resolve or deal with or change
whatever tomorrow may (or may not) bring…
Tomorrow’s in your hands alone, Lord
– surely not in mine –
and I pray that just as grace has brought me
and I pray that just as grace has brought me
safe thus far
that grace will bring me to and through
that grace will bring me to and through
the days and weeks ahead…
I cannot leave the past behind
or trust tomorrow to your care
unless, Lord, and until I live
or trust tomorrow to your care
unless, Lord, and until I live
the day that’s right at hand…
Help me live in the moment this day is:
not around it,
not around it,
not apart from it,
not in spite of it – but in it...
In the quiet of my prayer, Lord,
help me let go of yesterday’s burdens
and free me from fear
help me let go of yesterday’s burdens
and free me from fear
of what tomorrow may bring…
In the stillness, Lord, give me peace of mind
and open my heart and my soul,
and open my heart and my soul,
open my eyes and my ears
open my dreams and imagination
open my dreams and imagination
to the day you’ve made and given to me…
Amen.
