Letter 4465

I say I wish to be your instrument, Lord, but how willing am I in truth?

I shy away from effort. Prior to the task, I frantically hope for relief. If the assignment is difficult, I may try to deliver barely adequate work.

❖

If I am to proclaim willingness, Lord, let me truly be willing.

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Consider:

Can I live a willing life today?

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Reading:

❖ “Only let me make my life simple and straight, like a flute of reed for thee to fill with music.” — Rabindranath Tagore, Gitanjali

❖ “We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.” — Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God

❖ “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” — Matthew 26:41 (KJV)

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

~B.R.

Letter 4464

You were here with me when I retired last night, are you still here at dawn?

I am already rushing into the day — I may not see you.

❖

Lord, let me slow my walk, and experience your nearness.

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Consider:

Can I draw nearer to God today?

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Reading:

❖ “The world is too much with us; late and soon, getting and spending, we lay waste our powers.” — William Wordsworth, “The World Is Too Much with Us”

❖ “As the body is clad in the cloth… so are we, soul and body, clad in the goodness of God, and enclosed.” — Julian of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love

❖ “If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.” — Psalm 139:9–10 (KJV)

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

~B.R.

Letter 4463

To my chores, let me add cheerfulness.

To my wandering, let me add purpose.

To my craftwork, let me add devotion.

To my fleeing, let me add calm.

To my worry, let me add acceptance.

❖

My day is more than what happens to me; it is also what I bring to it.

To this day, let me bring willingness.

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Consider:

Can I do my part to be willing?

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Reading:

❖ “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms — to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances.” — Viktor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning

❖ “We must allow ourselves to be interrupted by God.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together

❖ “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” — 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)

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

~B.R.

Letter 4462

I studied a map of my area last night, preparing to travel over the mountain and down into the next valley. I wanted to remind myself of the route.

Now, on the way, I see only a little behind me and a little ahead, to the next turning. The path snakes up.

I felt so confident with my map, and now so uncertain on the way.

❖

The map is not the terrain. I could see only the shape of the path, and not its reality.

Let me enjoy my limited view.

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Consider:

Can I accept and enjoy my limited view today?

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Reading:

❖ “The map is not the territory.” — Alfred Korzybski, Science and Sanity

❖ “Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time.” — Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

❖ “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding… he shall direct thy paths.” — Proverbs 3:5–6 (KJV)

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

~B.R.