Heart song
You make my heart sing
songs of joy, gladness and bliss –
on this day of love.

Snow Haiku 3
I gaze at the trees
Their branches covered with snow –
I shiver, in awe.

Prayer Haiku
Carla A. Romarate-Knipel, copyright 2022
Still in bed, praying —
taking deep breaths, reflecting
on God’s faithfulness.

Early Morning Prayer

Gracious, loving God,
On this cold, wintry day
I thank you for the warmth of your love
that covers me like a blanket,
keeping me safe and secure.
As the snow lays on the ground.
I am comforted by your words through the prophet Isaiah,
that though my “sins be as scarlet they shall be white as snow.”
Thank you for your grace and forgiveness.
Help me to fall asleep again, and in the darkness breathe
deeply and close my eyes.
Watch over me and all I love until I awaken to the dawning
of a new day.
Prayer written by Carla A. Romarate-Knipel, copyright 2022
Snow Haiku
Soft, white cold icing
laying on bare tree branches –
newly-fallen snow.
written by Carla A. Romarate-Knipel, copyright 2022

Haiku for the Day
In the stillness, wait
and listen to the birds sing
songs of joy and mirth.
– written by Carla A. Romarate-Knipel, copyright 2022

Three Haikus for the New Year
Haiku 1 –

I welcome today –
the first day of the new year,
thankful for God’s love.
Haiku 2
God’s love gives me hope –
to step out in faith and live
each day with courage.
Haiku 3
Courage to show up,
to keep on going with God
leading, every day.
A New Year’s Day Prayer
by Carla A. Romarate-Knipel, copyright 2022
It’s the first day of the new year, O God.
I thank you for the past year – with all its
…blessings, hardships, and challenges.
I thank you that you were with me
the whole time.
Even in the darker days, your Light
shone
… to illuminate my path,
… to warm my heart,
and lead me forward.
Now here I am,
at the beginning of a
new year.
May I go through this day and this year,
with confidence
in your everlasting, unconditional
love.
May I look up to You, who look upon me with
favor,
not because I am perfect, but because you are
perfect
and by my faith in Jesus, you have made me your
child.
Send me forth then into this new year, into your
world,
with hope and strength
to be your living, breathing blessing
to everyone I meet on this path,
journeying together…
to the future that you have prepared
for all your beloved children,
with faith, hope and love.
In the name of Jesus, the Alpha and the Omega,
the Author of my beginnings and endings.
Amen.

Morning Prayer
Good morning, dear God!
The sun has greeted you already while my eyes were closed, my body still asleep.
In Ilonggo, I say, “Maayong Aga!” It sounds more soft, more tender when I say it out loud to you,
our Loving Creator – the source of life, language and love.
Thank you! “Salamat gid!”
Again, gratitude in Ilonggo glides out of my lips like honey dripping with sweetness.
I say “Salamat, thank you, gracias, merci,” for a new day, so full of possibilities…
you and me, together –
walking through it, hand in hand, with love.
May I not let go of your hand, nor lose sight of you, and take off towards another direction.
Please help me to trust you every step of the way, even with all that’s going on in my life and in this world that are driving me to be in doubt and mired in despair.
Remind me of this “Salamat” moment, the peace and joy and quiet with you before I rose from sleep to meet the fevered demands of the day.
May this memory be a gift that I carry in my heart to give me strength, come what may.
So be it.
Salamat gid!
In the name of Yeshua, the Messiah.
Amen.