Yet work I must.

It was along the fence line that I discovered it: an eroded part of the land, a growing hole under the timber. It had been used ever more.

My heart dropped, for work would be required, and change needed. Earth work, a new fence. Effort, and possibility of failure.

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I hesitated to begin. The comfort of routine called me. Genuinely alarmed, I dithered, and thus let foxes come and cull the herd.

Lord, let me act when I ought.

– from the mountain

Consider:

Am I willing to act?

Reading:

“He who would do good to another must do it in Minute Particulars.” — William Blake, Jerusalem

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“Action springs not from thought, but from a readiness for responsibility.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison

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“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” — James 4:17 (KJV)

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Good effort.

I am making a bench to place overlooking the valley village. I laid out the dimensions with great care, sanded it over and over, and now adding coat after coat of varnish. People will use it for years to come; it must be well made.

Later, when I have placed it and my own life’s memory has faded into obscurity, will any praise the construction? Will someone remark upon its fine proportions?

Is it this possibility that drives me?

❖

Let me labor in secret, Lord, for later days will never know me. Let my efforts be their own reward.

– from the mountain

Consider:

Can I bring my full self to all my tasks?

Reading:

“Our praises are our wages.” — William Shakespeare, All’s Well That Ends Well, Act II, Scene III

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“Who sweeps a room, as for Thy laws, makes that and the action fine.” — George Herbert, The Elixir

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“That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” — Matthew 6:4 (KJV)

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Momentary.

Joy and hope, do I have them only under perfect conditions? Must the sun and moon shine upon me for there to be peace in my heart?

I have a long journey today, and rains have come. Does this mean I cannot enjoy the view that will meet me at the halfway point?

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The world spins in times good and bad. Let me, Lord, learn to separate conditions from my response. These light and momentary afflictions, they work for me a great weight of joy.

– from the mountain

Consider:

Can I see my troubles as momentary?

Reading:

“It is not things themselves that disturb men, but their judgments about them.” — Epictetus, Enchiridion

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“The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven.” — John Milton, Paradise Lost, Book I

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“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” — 2 Corinthians 4:17 (KJV)

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What are you teaching me?

There is a spot along my daily walk where I fear to go. The path narrows and sends me through dense and dark forest.

What might come to pass in that stretch of road? I might lose my way. I may become victim. I may stumble.

Many days, I arrange my steps to avoid it. I walk out of my way. Some days, I go anyway but close my eyes and whistle, hoping to survive but scarce believing it.

❖

What are you teaching me, Lord, with this daily journey into fear? That all is truly well? That my worries are phantoms? That I can survive more than I think?

Let me learn your lesson, Lord.

– from the mountain

Consider:

Can I hear what you are teaching me?

Reading:

“Present fears are less than horrible imaginings.” — William Shakespeare, Macbeth, Act I, Scene III

❖

“All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.” — Julian of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love

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“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.” — Psalm 23:4 (KJV)

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