Today’s Purpose

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.

Consider:

Can I discern my purpose for today?

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)

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

~B.R.

The True Work

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.

Consider:

Can I focus on right effort?

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)

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

~B.R.

Two Windows

Letter 4428

My room has two windows. One faces onto the field, and morning light fills the room from it.

Another faces north and the view is of a neighbor’s refuse pile.

❖

I look out the northern window as the room glows with sunlight. It is not enough to overcome the sorrow and resentment I feel over what I see. I would be happier if I pulled one shade.

Lord, let me choose wisely what windows I sit before.

Consider:

Can I choose what I focus on with greater care today?

Reading:

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

❖ “Attention, taken to its highest degree, is the same thing as prayer.” — Simone Weil, Gravity and Grace

❖ “Whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report… think on these things.” — Philippians 4:8 (KJV)

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

~B.R.

Burdens

Letter 4427

What burden do I carry?

Wood to make a chair? Logs to burn? Branches that needed clearing?

❖

The effort may be the same in any case, so let me smile as I work.

Consider:

Can I have a light spirit today?

Reading:

❖ “One must imagine Sisyphus happy.” — Albert Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus

❖ “Love feels no burden, thinks nothing of trouble.” — Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ

❖ “There is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works.” — Ecclesiastes 3:22 (KJV)

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

~B.R.