WATCHWORD:
I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. Isaiah 43:19
Meditation:
You and God
My daughter found this conversation with God on a Facebook page. It was written by John Roedel and it is such a good and appropriate message that I wanted to share it with you. Keep in mind, this is You and God having a conversation.
A Conversation with God:
Me: Hey God.
God: Hello…
Me: I’m falling apart. Can you put me back together?
God: I would rather not.
Me: Why?
God: Because you aren’t a puzzle.
Me: What about all of the pieces of my life that are falling down onto the ground?
God: Let them stay there for a while. They fell off for a reason. Take some time and decide if you need any of those pieces back.
Me: You don’t understand! I’m breaking down!
God: No – you don’t understand. You are breaking through. What you are feeling are just growing pains. You are shedding the things and the people in your life that are holding you back. You aren’t falling apart. You are falling into place. Relax. Take some deep breaths and allow those things you don’t need anymore, to fall off of you. Quit holding onto the pieces that don’t fit you anymore. Let them fall off. Let them go.
Me: Once I start doing that, what will be left of me?
God: Only the very best pieces of you.
Me: I’m scared of changing.
God: I keep telling you – YOU AREN’T CHANGING!! YOU ARE BECOMING!
Me: Becoming who?
God: Becoming who I created you to be! A person of light and love and charity and hope and courage and joy and mercy and grace and compassion. I made you for more than the shallow pieces you have decided to adorn yourself with that you cling to with such greed and fear. Let those things fall off of you. I love you! Don’t change! … Become! Become! Become who I made you to be. I’m going to keep telling you this until you remember it.
Me: There goes another piece.
God: Yep. Let it be.
Me: So … I’m not broken?
God: Of course Not! – but you are breaking like the dawn. It’s a new day. Become!!!
–Author John Roedel
Comment:
Life is filled with unexpected pits and twists. What has been happening to you over these past forever weeks? I hear from some of you that putting on weight is common – blame that on the virus. You have drawn closer to family, loved ones, friends – credit your own need and your common sense. You have drawn closer to God and your faith – Thank you, Lord.
Truth – During this ‘time-out’ from God, He has matured us in our faith. We have drawn closer to the Word. We have changed in ways that will bless the lives of others, and ourselves into the future.
(Excerpt from Middle of Nowhere, story under construction)
“When the Reverend One and Guiding Source were mortals, they were husband and wife, just like these Bearers,” the angel-in-training Watcher said.
“That is exactly right,” Wise One said. “Their togetherness was blessed by the Great One.”
“And waiting for the Holy One’s direction, was a good answer,” one of the Watchers said.
“Yes, and that is a good answer, as well. Did you all hear that? They are waiting for Holy One’s direction! That is how they started to deal with the uncertainty that the Evil One planted. It is also a good lesson for all of you.”
The other Watchers nodded their agreement.
The Light, there at our tomorrow, that light. That is our Lord beckoning us to peace. Life will not be the same, it will be different in a bright, new way. Listen to that voice, telling us of the doors He will open, and the spiritual food He will provide, and the graces that will abound. You are breaking like the dawn. Wait for the Holy One’s direction. Become! Be at peace.
A Question/Commentary from Graham:
I wondered what You all thought of WATCHWORDS for yesterday, in particular the matter of happiness?
(Generally, Graham is a happy guy, but…) Lately I find that there are a few things that I’m not happy about: Confinement and regulations that I must observe to name just two!
I was reminded of some quotes made by C. S. Lewis in his book Surprised by Joy. At his mother’s death from cancer, as a teenager he wrote, “All that was tranquil and reliable disappeared from my life. There was to be much fun, many pleasures, some stabs of joy but no more of the old security”. He then went in search of these three until he attended university!
His observation regarding pleasure, happiness and joy, is that joy is never within our power, while pleasure and happiness often is.
On the final page of his autobiography Lewis writes “but what, in conclusion, of (search) for joy, after all, is what my life story has mainly been about. To tell you the truth, since I became a Christian, the subject has lost nearly all interest for me.”
“Jesus blessed his disciples, was taken up, and they worshiped him. And then they returned to Jerusalem with Great Joy.” Luke 24:50-53
Bulletin Board:
From Jim on Sunday — My happiness today was once again attending church service, in the church!
Closing with The Prayer of Saint Francis – or is it?:
Many people, if asked for a prayer of St Francis, would name this one. However, it is not in fact by Francis, but comes from an unknown French source, and was first recorded around 1913. The prayer captures the spirit of Francis.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
