Thursday, April 28, 2011

Dear God,

How can trust become deeper than fear? How do we place our hand in yours and surrender the fear that paralyzes us? How?

Tonight we spent time with an older couple whose son, daughter-in-law, and grandson are addicted to drugs. They are so afraid for their loved ones. How can they take hold, let go, trust, and do what they can?

The longer I live the more I realize we cannot change one another. Change comes from deep within. We may help, support, love, affirm, challenge, and open doors but we cannot transform another human being. Why do we think we can?

In our need to control each other's futures, we agonize over the decisions of others to suffer, to give themselves to their lower instincts, to take side paths instead of the straight path, and to forfeit the greater plan for their lives. But then we understand full way the poor choices that lead us to dead ends and frightening places because we too have traveled that road leading to nowhere.

As we learn to surrender the fearful parts of our lives, how do we trade them for something divine? How do we realistically trust so deeply that peace can take the place of fear?

Speak to us
of your peace,
Almighty God;
show us
the way
to you.
Reveal your grace
making a path
for trust,
we pray.

Love, Andrea