sweeping thoughts
Posted By Sherry on March 28, 2006
My deep thoughts last about as long as it takes me to sweep the kitchen floor. Today my deep thought involved limitations. I know what brought it on: two acquaintances recently lost their sight because doctors failed to diagnose their conditions in time. One is young and one is old. Both tragic. I wonder how well I would receive news that Mauri and I could never again exchange knowing glances. That my grandchildren wouldn’t grow up before my very eyes. That I could see God in our backyard apple blossoms only through memory. And all because someone didn’t pay attention. By God’s grace I’ll never have to find out. But I grieve for these two people who did.
And my deep thought: I don’t mind limitations as long as they don’t keep me
from doing what I want to do.
And how should we, as His children, respond to limitations? “Courageous” people fight through their limitations and achieve _____. St. Francis prayed for acceptance of those things which he could not change. Is my fighting a refusal to accept God’s will for my life? Or does my acceptance manifest a weakness in character?
Life on this side is so complicated. One more reason to look forward to His great and eternal solution.
“It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me.”
“Oh, what a happy child I am, although I cannot see! I am resolved that in this world, contented I will be!”
Fanny J. Crosby
(do I get double comment points a) for finding a quote relevant to the topic and 2) for it being a hymn writer?
)
“Count it all joy” takes on a whole new meaning when we’re confronted by circumstances out of our control…as if ANY circumstances are really in our control! As Father Tim so eloquently expressed it in his four-word sermon, “In everything….give thanks”: rolls off of the tongue so easily but finds its way into our hearts only through trials and tribulations and ultimately through His grace, which is sufficient for everything and which He provides at the hour we need it. I have discovered that trying to project myself into a seemingly impossible circumstance leaves me reeling. I’m certain of my inadequacy to confront it. God gives me the strength, determination, endurance, patience, joy and the thankful heart I need only when I need it, not before!