Where You Lead

Taking Control

One of my biggest spiritual challenges is having faith. I’m not talking about faith that there is a God. I’m talking about faith that God will take care of each situation. I’m talking about having faith to relinquish control.

I’m struggling with that right now. I want to do something. I even have an idea in mind of what to do. I’m not saying it’s the best option but it is the only one I can imagine right now. Knowing that it’s a terribly inadequate solution doesn’t make it easier to resist the temptation. I have to bite my tongue, let go and let it be.

Inaction does not necessarily equal denial or apathy. Sometimes inaction is a practice of faith. Sometimes we just have to let things be as they are and allow God to work.

Lord, give me the strength to resist this urge to take control.

Jabez: A Reminder

Oh, that you would bless me indeed
And enlarge my territory.
That your hand would be with me
And that you would keep me from evil
That I may not cause pain.

Prayer of Jabez

Several years ago, my mother told me about a book that was supposed to be very moving. The Prayer of Jabez had not yet branched off into the “for women” or “for teens” editions. I read the book and something happened to me. My heart opened and my faith we reborn.

I was raised Catholic and still am. I love my Catholic faith. The Prayer of Jabez didn’t distract from that but rather, added to it. It brought my faith into sharper focus. The Prayer of Jabez for Women touched me even deeper and since then, my faith – and my spirituality – has grown. I’m on an endless journey for a deeper understanding of my God.

While much of what I believe is based strongly on Christianity, some of my thoughts and realizations are a little beyond that. It’s hard to explain. I’m constantly trying to bring all of this together in my own mind.

Each day, I pray the way Jabez did. I meditate on the words and pray:

Oh, that You would bless me indeed;
And enlarge my territory.
That your hand would be with me
And that you would keep me from evil
That I may not cause pain.

Oh, What A Journey!

When I started this blog, I had ideas for it. I was going to blog every day; in fact, I planned to start each day with a post here. I would then be able to look back at my journey and be amazed or grateful or whatever. I was sure I’d have an “Aha!” moment. I hoped to reach out to others wishing to lead a more spiritual life.

Even though I dropped the ball on this blog, I did have an Aha moment. I looked back and realized what I had always known: Going “where He leads” means accepting plans other than my own. In this case, it meant walking away from here and learning to cope with situations out of my control.

Some of what I’ve learned and come to understand is so profound because it is so simple. I’m not sure I’ll be able to write properly about it but I will eventually try. I’m not even certain what direction this blog will take or whether I’ll make any sense of it. I just know that I am struggling to understand more and hope to share it here.

Or maybe I’ll just ask questions. We shall see….

PRAYER TO SAINT JUDE

O most holy apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus — People honor and invoke you universally, as the patron of hopeless cases, of things almost despaired of. Pray for me, for I am so helpless and alone. Please help to bring me visible and speedy assistance. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly (state your request) and that I may praise God with you always. I promise, O blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you by publishing this request. Amen.

Serving Whom?

I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.

1 Corinthians 4:3-4

Whose opinion do you value? For whom do you live your life?

We are each responsible for following God’s word and being true to Him. We are not beholden to anyone else. While we are instructed to honor our parents and we vow to love our spouses, these are not the people who will judge us or whose approval we should seek. Only God has the power to judge us. Our only concern should be that we please Him.

I remember once chatting with a friend and caught myself more than once passing judgment on someone we both knew. I realized then that I had stepped over a line and that I really had no right to judge any other person, not having insight into their hearts or minds. At that thought, I corrected myself and said, “I guess I’m lucky that God will judge me, and not my neighbors, huh?” My friend understood.

Let’s all remember today that we need to please only God. Let’s leave the judgments to Him so that we can concentrate on simply following him and doing His work.