Sunday Morning - “Peace”
Good morning & happy Sunday :-)
PEACE:
It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.
One of my favorite words has always been “peace”. It is also the main thing I have searched for my entire life. The search has taken me through 3 different states, two marriages, and over the past couple of years, through therapy, psychiatry and medication. One of my favorite quotes that I repeat quite often is “Effort big or small is always rewarded” and that has also been my one claim to fame – I never stop trying. Through all the things that have challenged me, all the tests I have made it through and all the questions I have never been fully able to answer, comes one point of clarity: not having the right focus. I needed to learn and grow to get to the next level. Through that process, when I was weak or afraid, my perspective was not what it should’ve been. Which inevitably makes the journey longer and more difficult. Once through a moment, I feel more peace, more balance and then the clarity… I am truly blessed. I want to/need to remember what is truly important whether I am feeling peace or I am struggling. I need to stay close to God so that I don’t forget why I am truly here. And no matter what questions I cannot answer, that should never change my perspective.
Blaise Pascal, a 17th century intellectual had a life changing experience that motivated him to refocus his study from science and math to theology. I got this prayer that Pascal wrote from a Daily prayer book that I read…
“Lord help me to do great things as though they were little, since I do them with Your power; and little things as though they were great, since I do them in Your name…”
“The question is not just how long we live, but also, how well we live. When we look back over our lives, how much distress did we cause? How much suffering did we alleviate? How much love did we give & how much did we receive? How many people did we help? These are profoundly spiritual questions; as such, they are often most meaningful…” (author unknown)
May we all remember, even when it is difficult to see, why we are here and that we are all truly blessed… :-)
peace & God bless
- tjd
