Tuesday, February 19, 2008

My dearest God,

Why is it we hold on to others to make us safe? To make us happy? To make us secure? Why do we insist on others caring for us when in reality you have provided inner resources for a life safe, secure, and happy within our own selves?

Sometimes we hold on to a child, hindering their growth because we're not ready to let them grow up. We hold on to a dying parent because we don't know what our life will be like without them. We hold on to a decaying relationship because the future appears scarier than what is happening at the moment. We hold on...rather...than...allowing you...to hold on to us, providing us with everything we need.

The more I visit hospitals, the more I know the cycle of life, the more I understand life and death. We have been made mortal, finite, flesh that is not intended to stay supple and perfect. We have been born to die. We have an end date. Somewhere stamped on us is an expiration date. It's neither bad nor good. It just is.

Oh Lord, we try so hard to circumvent the natural process of living and dying. We so much want to run the show, to edit the plan, to change things. At the same time we ask you to work with us, to orchestrate our plan, to make our lives what we want them to be.

Make our minds
like the mind
of your Son Christ.
Make our spirits
willing to follow
the one great Spirit.
Make our emotions
the gift of God,
used appropriately
and well.
Make our hearts
like Mother Mary's
the blessed virgin
ever mild.
Make our feet
to traverse
the expanse
of time given us.
Make us wise,
realizing the gift
of patience, silence,
and surrender.
Make us
like you,
Great Creator,
a blessing
to you
and to the world.
Make us,
Great God,
make us
like you.

Love, Andrea