Letter 4432

There will be a river to cross; I do not know how we will ford it. Perhaps the bridge still stands. Perhaps there is a ferry. We may swim.

Such precarious balance, as we set out.

❖

Let me trust that we will find what power we need when we need it.

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Consider:

Can I trust fully in you today?

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Reading:

❖ “When we no longer know which way to go we have come to our real journey. The mind that is not baffled is not employed. The impeded stream is the one that sings.” — Wendell Berry, Standing by Words (“The Real Work”)

❖ “To come to the knowledge you have not you must go by a way in which you know not.” — John of the Cross, The Ascent of Mount Carmel

❖ “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” — Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)

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

~B.R.

Letter 4431

The bright dawn, the chirping birds, the fresh feeling in my heart. What is special about this day?

Has it been set aside for devotion, for building? For joy? What of tomorrow and yesterday, are they not equally worthy?

❖

Let me love this day like all days, Lord, and feel the quickening you have made available. Let me accept what has been offered.

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Consider:

Can I enjoy this day, regardless of what came before or may follow?

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Reading:

❖ “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson, Society and Solitude (“Works and Days”)

❖ “The present moment is always full of infinite treasure. It contains far more than you can possibly grasp.” — Jean-Pierre de Caussade, Abandonment to Divine Providence

❖ “They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” — Lamentations 3:23 (KJV)

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

~B.R.

Letter 4430

I set out on a great journey to the summit of the mountain under which we live. It will take days to go and return.

But today the journey begins.

❖

What, then, is my purpose on this day?

To start something?
To do what I said?
To avoid others?

Let me discern and live a worthy purpose, Lord.

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Consider:

Can I discern my purpose for today?

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Reading:

❖ “To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive, and the true success is to labour.” — Robert Louis Stevenson, Virginibus Puerisque (“El Dorado”)

❖ “My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end… But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.” — Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude

❖ “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” — Proverbs 16:9 (KJV)

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

~B.R.

Letter 4429

The dishes are piled and need washing, the corners are dusty and need cleaning.

On an empty day, are these the chores that most call me? Are these tasks my highest and best use?

Let me turn my attention to the real work of the day: to draw more near to you.

❖

Perhaps the routine of cleaning will open space in my heart and mind for you to enter. But perhaps striving for perfection will crowd you out.

Let me discern rightly, Lord.

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Consider:

Can I focus on right effort?

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Reading:

❖ “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” — Annie Dillard, The Writing Life

❖ “People should not worry so much about what they do but rather about what they are.” — Meister Eckhart, Selected Writings

❖ “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD.” — Psalm 27:4 (KJV)

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

~B.R.