Good Sunday morning. Somewhere in a dark Galilean house, a man slid out from under his blanket and found the door latch by feel. Nobody made him. He wanted to go.
"And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." — Mark 1:35 (KJV)
This morning's prayer Father, Jesus left a warm bed to meet you, and he did it gladly. Let me want what he wanted. I'm not here because I should be. I'm here because you are glad to see me, and I'm glad too. Thank you for the rested body, the roof, the breath in my lungs. Today I'll sit in church, or at the table, or in the car, and I'll sing with my whole voice. Take the first part of this day before anyone else gets it. Fill me, so that when people crowd in, I have something real to hand them. Walk with me out of this room. Amen.