A Psalm for a Summer Day - July 30, 2010

Praise to You, our Creator,
for the wind rustling through the leaves,
for the sound of the waves approaching the shore as we bask in the warmth of the sun, for the time to travel, to rest, and to consider celebrations and challenges that lie ahead.
Give us insight, Eternal One, to understand our relationships within our family and community. Teach us to be patient when there are disagreements, generous in how we approach each other, cooperative in our actions and our tone rather than combative or even suspicious.
Enable us to identify what is important in our lives. Remind us of the wealth that comes from wisdom, the prosperity that emerges from the feeling that we have preserved our own integrity in our thoughts and actions, and the recognition that comes not from celebrity status, but from having made a good name for ourselves which fosters a sense of respect and trust with our peers.
Help us understand the importance of fairness, whether we are playing a sport or working with others to sustain a community. Provide us with eyes that see the good in all people, so that past conflict will not preclude partnership in the present.
Heal a world that still knows too much war, too much hunger. Support those who have suffered from natural disasters, and offer us a gift of knowledge that can prevent tragedies caused by human arroagance or heartlessness.
May the sun, the moon and the stars that continue to shine upon us inspire us to bring blessing upon our own lives and to our families and our community.
L’shalom,
Rabbi Larry K.