Daily Devotions: Made For Goodness

My child. I made you for myself.

I made you like myself.

I delight in you.

My heart aches with pity

When you smother joy under the onslaught of busyness.

Then there is barely a minute

To pause and listen to me.

You run everywhere looking for life,

Searching for the life of life.

All the while I am here.

I am as close as a prayer.

I am breathing in your breath.

You look for me in the pleasures of life.

Things pile upon things,

Experiences crown out experiences,

Places run together in a hazy blur,

And still you don't find that one thing that will satisfy you.

But I am here.

I am as close as a prayer.

I am breathing in your breath.

I made you for myself,

I wanted you.

I made you like myself.

I made you good and I made you free.

Listen! For I have carved in you the heart to hear.

Listen and know that I am near.

I am as close as a prayer.

I am breathing in your breath.

Before you speak the word of worry or worship I hear you.

Before you sing in your delight or moan your anguish I speak.

I am here.

I am as close as a prayer.

I am breathing in your breath.

With each breath I choose life for you.

I paint the pattern of joy in your heart and leave it there for you to

find.

I build the frame of your flourishing in the center of your being and

call you to search it out.

I kindled the spark of goodness in you.

With each breath I fan the flame.

I am here.

I am as close as a prayer.

I am breathing in your breath.

With each breath choose, my child, you are free.

Will you breathe with me the breathe of life?

Will you claim the joy i have prepared for you?

Will you seek me out and find me here?

Will you whisper the prayer?

Will you breath in my breathe?

by Desmond Tutu