Jesus tells these words to Peter, predicting his death, stretched out on a cross. While we
are not on a ‘literal’ cross, our individual crosses and aging do lead us to places where we do
not necessarily want to go. However, this reality seems to be an eventual plan for all of us. One
day we are the caretaker, and another, we might require help, life is so uncertain.
Usually, we will give instructions how the helper should aid us. Have you realized that
when it is necessary to accept ‘assistance,’ our response calls us to allow our caretakers to do it
‘their’ way? When (or if) have you found that relinquishing control was better than holding all
the threads in your hands? It will probably make for less arguments, if we can let go, as letting
go is a necessary part of love. Perhaps this is a new insight for you and please recall everything
begins with our ‘awareness.’
We take inspiration from Scripture, “Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me. In You
I seek refuge, in the shadow of Your wings I seek refuge till harm pass by.” Psalm 57:2, and from
Pema Chodron, “Nothing ever goes away until it teaches us what we need to know.” No matter
where we are in our life circle, God’s love carries us. What God wants from us above all, is trust
and our life experiences, give us the road to trusting God’s plan. While being patient with
ourselves is usually not where most of us are at, gratefully, God is not in a hurry for us to be our
better selves. Our call is to ‘attempt’ to step forward in faith one moment at a time.
I just returned from a week in the mountains and believe nature is God’s conversation
with us. As we keep our eyes and heart on the Lord, offering ourselves in love, we receive every
assurance we can desire. Our worth is not dependent on anything or anyone. Being God’s
beloved is guaranteed. Even if or when we lose sight of the Lord, His gaze never strays from us.
St. John of the Cross wrote, “The soul is like a pane of glass and God’s love is like the
sun.” Helen Keller wrote, “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through the
experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired,
and success achieved.”
When fear threatens to overwhelm us, trust the Lord to stay with us in the present,
recalling the words of Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you – oracle
of the Lord – plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope.”