A wise teacher once told me that the best way to stay close to God is to make each day a prayer from the moment I awaken until I am falling asleep. So that is how my day began. I offered my day to God and said “Let’s get going Lord. I can do all things through you who strengthen me”. It lightened my heart. I am taking a short break right now, and came across a quote I have always loved. Maybe you will, too.
O King of Night and Day
Alone with none but you my God,
I journey on my way.
What need I fear,
When You are near,
O King of night and day?
More safe am I within your hand
than if a host did round me stand.
Be a bright flame before me
a guiding star above me
a smooth path beneath me,
a kindly shepherd behind me,
today–tonight–and forever. Amen
–St. Columba
I especially like the phrase ‘more safe am I within your hand’. Indeed I am. He is an unbeatable bodyguard. He has my back, as the saying goes. I do not have to summon only my own courage. He has a bottomless well of courage for me to draw upon. He refreshes me and strengthens me in my desert, lake, and mountain moments. He fills me with awe beside the oceans. He is mine and yours.
Today will be a prayerful and powerful day. He is everywhere!
Believe Anyway 
“What need I fear, when You are near”
A resounding AMEN to that LeRoy 🙂
So many think it is fun or even funny to teach their children to feat things like storms or dark. We should, instead, fiercely teach them to enjoy these displays of God’s creativity and power.
I agree. Whenever a storm was coming, we would all join dad on the porch and watch the storm. It was so thrilling. It never occurred to us to be afraid. Never remember being afraid of the dark. My parents would often say “children aren’t for scaring”. I guess they felt very strongly about that 🙂