Practice, practice

Steve's comment mentioned the word persistence which reminded me of a book I just finished reading with a group. It's called Compassion, by Henri Nouwen & two other theologians.

In Part Three, The Compassionate Way, Chapter 7 is entitled Patience and delves into the concept of discipline, not as a rigorous effort of control but as an effort of practice that enables revelation of divine spirit. Through the discipline of prayer and meditation, we patiently make ourselves available to experience the divine presence in our lives. Here's a direct quote, "Without discipline, the forces that call us by our old names and pull us into competitive games are too strong to resist."

Wow, that sounds like something a lot of us can identify with. Another thing he mentions that I also like is the idea that compassion cannot be willed. He/they state that compassion is a divine gift . . . it is not conquered but given by the grace of God.

I was at a meeting sometime in the last couple weeks where the subject was change. Some people prayed for change (I might have already posted on this) and maybe this is just semantics but what works for me is to pray for the lifting of my defects, my fear and narcissism and ask to be humble and accepting of what life presents me. And THEN things change.

Comments?

Prayer Works

Brush teeth. Pray. Enter Day. End Day. Brush teeth. Pray.

Wash, rinse and repeat.

My prayer life has been vivid lthis past month. Absolutely the way to go. Try it, you'll like it.

That's what's good about today.

Acceptance

Is there anything better?

Come morning, I ask God to let me accept the day as it happens, let me be ready to welcome what comes my way. Instead of resisting, kicking or fighting, let me gaze upon it like a bee come to investigate a flower bloom.

And in the evening, it is time to see what I've caught today, by God's grace, a reminder of the abundance through which we swim.