I Give Up, You're Right

Maybe it’s just the shorter days, or the nagging list of things to do before the holidays, or any number of other excuses – but I’m a little cranky. It came to the surface when my mother continued to refuse to wear her medical alert device. My passive aggressive response to my siblings made me feel even more put out – with her and with myself. And to top it off, the daily readings started to come from “Wisdom”.

“Those who trust in him shall understand truth,
and the faithful shall abide with him in love”

Well, it’s all well and good to trust, but my brain is saying common sense has to be involved here somewhere! Bullheaded meets bullheaded…

Anyway, as I was searching the Web for a prayer for another occasion, I came across the following. I’m still taking it in, but I wanted to share it. It stands alone as something I will definitely return to again and again.


“A PRAYER FOR TRUSTING GOD FOR FRESH PEACE AND STRAIGHT PATHS

Dear heavenly Father, I praise you today for the multiple commands in the Bible to trust you. For in the times of trouble; in the out-of-my-control circumstances; on the crooked, dark, winding paths; and in the I-don’t-get-this days, we will look to something or someone to trust.

What relief, peace and assurance to know that you, alone, are trustworthy. You always command our good in your Word and in providence; and you always empower our obedience with your grace and your Spirit. Hallelujah, many times over.

Father, first of all, for the many attempts I make not to need you and to be my own savior—or at least a consulting partner to the Trinity - forgive me. I praise you for your kindness, patience and forbearance. I so look forward to the Day when I’m no longer averse to my weakness and allergic to your grace.

Even though I assume I will only be able to trust you with ALL my heart on the Day when Jesus returns, I will trust you today with as much of my heart as I can possibly muster.

Father, for the broken circumstances I’d love to fix, I surrender, palms up to you. I know you well enough to realize, that things are not as they appear to me, with my naked eye. Even when I try to look at some things with the eye of faith, I’m still smitten with astigmatism of the soul.

But you are in control when it seems like you’re not—or worse, when it seems like you don’t care. You are working in all things for your glory, and our good, even when it seems like you’re on hiatus or holiday. “Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs (the weightiness) of them all (2 Cor. 4:17).

Father, for the broken people and broken relationships I’d love to fix, I surrender, palms up to you. I confess what you already know to be true. There are people (including myself) that I think, if you’d let me, I could fix in such beautiful and remarkable ways. But, once again, I’m confronted with my arrogance and my impatience; and my heart idols of control and a pain-free heart. I praise you, that in Jesus, I’m already forgiven and righteous; and one Day, I’ll be perfectly free and whole.

Father, as this day unfolds, I choose to lean on you, and not my understanding; I choose to step on the path of grace, and off the highway of my willfulness; I choose to acknowledge you, and stop trying to inform and coach you. Bring your heart, hand and hope to bear. So very Amen I pray, in Jesus’ merciful and mighty name.”

By Scotty Smith

Until next time, wishing you fresh peace and straight paths!

Lynn

Lynn Wells is a St. Laurence parishioner and spiritual director.