Wonderful Era

Letter 4425

I used to wonder what to do and where to go. What to say? Confusion reigned o’er my days.

Today I reach a fork in the road. As I see it approach, I do not know the way. When I meet it, however, I am guided and I listen.

❖

I live in a wonderful era of guidance. Let me become a better follower.

Consider:

Can I listen for your guidance today?

Reading:

❖ “It is perfectly true, as philosophers say, that life must be understood backwards. But they forget the other proposition, that it must be lived forwards.” — Søren Kierkegaard, Journals

❖ “I do not ask to see the distant scene; one step enough for me.” — John Henry Newman, Lead, Kindly Light

❖ “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” — Isaiah 30:21 (KJV)

Thank you for for reading. If this helped you today, please consider sharing it.

~B.R.

Bring Wonder

Letter 4424

I walked a path that began at my doorstep, wound through woods, rose into mountains, switched back and back overlooking the valley, and ended at a windswept summit hut.

What marvels you showed me along the way, Lord: a tidy porch, a gracious oak, a misty village, the clarity of heights.

From setting to setting, from glory to glory.

❖

This was a walk that took great effort. It is not for the everyday. But portions are. I walk from my doorstep, through the woods, almost daily as I visit neighbors.

Let me bring the same wonder to my daily goings, as I do to the walk that ends in the clouds.

Consider:

Can I bring wonder to my day?

Reading:

❖ “The world will never starve for want of wonders; but only for want of wonder.” — G.K. Chesterton, Tremendous Trifles

❖ “You never enjoy the world aright, till the Sea itself floweth in your veins, till you are clothed with the heavens, and crowned with the stars.” — Thomas Traherne, Centuries of Meditations

❖ “The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.” — Habakkuk 3:19 (KJV)

Thank you for for reading. If this helped you today, please consider sharing it.

~B.R.

Joined Forces

Letter 4423

There are those cheering me on. There are those hoping I will go towards the light. There are allies who would help if asked.

If so many forces are ready to help me down your path, Lord, let me not stand in their way. Let me walk to you.

❖

Let our forces be joined.

Consider:

Can I feel the pull towards you?

Reading:

❖ “No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.” — John Donne, Devotions upon Emergent Occasions (Meditation XVII)

❖ “We are already one. But we imagine that we are not. And what we have to recover is our original unity.” — Thomas Merton, The Asian Journal of Thomas Merton

❖ “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” — James 4:8 (KJV)

Thank you for for reading. If this helped you today, please consider sharing it.

~B.R.

Turned Over

Letter 4422

Storms came through late last night and there are repairs to make. Does this unsettle me? Or am I grateful to see an obvious sign of your will for me?

A neighbor faces the same task. They may help me, and I, them. Again may I find a reason for gratitude — a friendship rooted in mutual aid where before we were strangers.

❖

Yet here in my room, before venturing out, I grumble and delay. The work is not in the field, but here inside me.

Consider:

Can I arrange my will so it is turned over to you, Lord?

Reading:

❖ “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations (5.20)

❖ “Let nothing disturb you; let nothing frighten you. All things are passing. God never changes.” — St. Teresa of Ávila, St. Teresa’s Bookmark

❖ “Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” — Romans 12:2 (KJV)

Thank you for for reading. If this helped you today, please consider sharing it.

~B.R.