Wow, it’s 2009! Can you believe it? Even though it’s just January, I feel as though 2009 has been crazier than ever. With the rush of all the extra events that take up our every free moment, or the questions/call from year-end statements, or even just the stress of a normal day; 2009 has already become many moments of pressure, frustration, but most of all God moving in big ways. I recently had 2 amazing friends send me some great words of wisdom and encouragement that I want to share with you. In moments of chaos it’s always nice to have something to help realign our thoughts to God.
This first one is simply about TAKING A BREATH
Whenever life interrupts your plans- whether it’s an unexpected caller, a long line a the grocery store, icy weather, or school closings on the day you hoped to finish a project or focus on something else- make a practice of saying this prayer: “Lord, my times are in your hands. Don’t let me be ruled by my schedule. Keep me flexible enough to hear Your voice whispering through my life’s interruptions.”
This second one is a prayer that most everyone has heard, the Prayer of Saint Francis. When I received this, my friend had inserted my name at every point the prayer had the words “me” or “I.” It was the most encouraging thing to read, so I encourage you to read this prayer often and to also insert your name wherever you see “me” or “I.”
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy 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;
and 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.
Have a beautiful week of Peace!!
