02.11.2026 | Ordinary Wednesday

​ Winter Morning
 
“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”
Psalm 5:3
 
The morning chill was a bit of a shock to these old bones as the Doodle girl and I set out for our daily constitutional. Winter mornings have become our ritual, walking the neighborhood in the quiet before the world fully wakes. I move in quiet contemplation while she sniffs and searches for clues, always on high alert for any sign of playtime or one of her many friends.
 
The stillness of early morning, just as the sun breaks the horizon, feels like an invitation to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with the Creator and with myself. It is a moment to offer gratitude for the gift that is today, to remember that goodness still threads its way through this old world even when the news insists otherwise.
 
This morning ritual is my time for peace and clarity. A time to summon a bit of inner strength and reconnect with nature. I use these steps for prayer, preparing my heart for the new day and hoping for growth and renewal. I am praying for an awakening within me, a fresh embrace of hope. Hope is what we absolutely need right now.
 
As we walk, I remember the promise that those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will rise up on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint. That promise steadies me in the cold morning air.
 
So, we walk and we pray.
We pause and reflect.
We gather strength in faith, hope, and love.
And we remember that God loves us, just as we are, right now.