a prayer

i am quieted tonight. a peace has settled down upon me. these last couple weeks have been a strange time of retreat, a form of willed seclusion from the world...it has driven me crazy, yet it was probably needed...a time to clear out the clutter of my mind, to remember the sweet goodness of my Abba.

Lord, thank you for these odd weeks of rest, of preparation, of uncomfortable solitude. Prepare me yet these next few days, even the last few hours on the plane before my feet land upon africa's soil. i don't want to miss a moment while i'm there...i pray that with every sunrise i will wake to live the dawning day fully, without regrets. help me to move, speak, and act carefully, without selfish-ambition, without vanity or conceit, open my eyes, my heart, and my hands to humbly love those around me, to take on the role of student even outside the classroom, to embrace the opportunity to be a learner. move in me and through me. i praise you for this blessing. i delight in the knowledge of your sovereignty, that neither this adventure, my story, my life, africa, nor the world lie outside the scope of your loving care. as i move forward now, guide me with your hand, that i may discern what steps you would have me take as i am led by faith into unfamiliar waters. hold me fast. may you be wholly glorified.