Originally downloaded by sladegibbs on flickr.com
We've all had those days when things sort of fall apart, and we're left wondering and pondering and angry at ourselves.
Rather than wallowing in self-pity or self-loathing or anger, you step back, assess the situation (s), and decide to simply surrender to the day and to the moments.
How appropriate that I happened upon a favorite Thomas Merton piece while I was doing some long overdue drawer cleaning this afternoon. It's worth reading, re-reading, and holding close on days like this. The peace of surrender ...
My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going,
I do not see the road ahead of me,
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe
that the desire to please you
does in fact please you.
And I hope that I have that desire
in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this
you will lead me by the right road,
though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore I will trust you always
though I may seem to be lost
and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear,
for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me
to face my perils alone.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
A Reminder to Surrender
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3 comments:
That is such a powerful and true piece. Life has been very good to us for the past few years. And I try to remember ever day how quickly things can turn. How one bit of information can turn your home into a much sadder place. My husband's father did not get good news back from tests and it is just getting worse. They find out exactly how much time he is looking at this week and I really feel for what my husband is getting ready to go through. Again. He lost his mother a few years back. I can't stand the thoughts of sitting in the doctor's office hearing that news with someone you love so much. But in those times that writing you had- well that is another time when we will need to be reminded.
Oh, that IS lovely. And I sincerely believe that a desire to please Him does please Him. He knows all too well our abilities and limitations, our strengths and our weaknesses.
That is one of my favorite prayers, Amy. Thanks for posting it and reminding me of its simplicity and its depth. Wonderful.
So much wisdom in those words and statements.
So be it.
Amen.
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