Lay all your troubles down; I am with you now.

Philippians 4:6, 7

Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus.
~ New International Version ~

Dear God,

Today, first I thank you for an amazing family. We may not all see eye-to-eye, we may bicker and fight, we might even throw a book at times, but we do love each other. This kind of family is unique in today's world, and thank You so much for letting me see that over the last few days. Thank you so, so, so much for 26 years with the best man I've ever known. I hope he's keeping You good company up there until the rest of us can gather around Your feet and bask in Your glory. Thank you for giving me an example of an unending and never wavering love. Through Your pairing of a tiny little south Texas woman with a swanky walk and a sweet young Coke-Cola delivery guy, You gave me the best set of grandparents and example of true unconditional love anyone could ever ask for.

Thank you for taking my Papa out of his pain. His life here was no longer very much worth living, and his life with you has to be greater than I could ever imagine. Please let him know we all miss him very much and can't wait to get a hug when we get to those pearly gates.

Thank you for giving me such a strong line of women, from a Grandma who finds compassion to comfort others in the time of her deepest pain to a mother who sacrificed her time and income to spend every second she could taking care of her parents to an aunt who blows my mind with the strength I know You must be providing her in these difficult times.

Thank you for bringing us safely together and getting us safely home from Papa's celebration ceremony. Thank you for letting many of us reconnect with people we hadn't seen in years.

Today Father I ask you for peace, concentration, and calmness. Please help me to give 100% to my job and do the best I can. I have been blessed with this brain and these talents, and I pray that You help me utilize them in the ways You see fit (and, um hopefully, the ways that pay my bills). Please be with my family as Christmas approaches and our hearts battle between sorrow and cheer. Please send Your spirit or Son to hold each of our hands when it seems as if we can't think of hanging an ornament or kissing under the mistletoe. Please be with my sisters and their educational pursuits; my brother-in-laws in the professions and scholastic endeavors. Please be with my husband and give him the strength he needs to support me and this family (as needed) during the next few months. Please help each of us who are now struggling financially, physically, mentally, or with our faith to regain our ground.

When all else fails, please just reach down Your hand and wrap ours in it. It is in Your divine power and presence that we can feel release and peace.

Thank you. Amen