Finding Our Way
Compassionate One,
When I am irritated or discouraged
By how others respond,
Or do not respond,
Fill me with compassion and kindness
When memories of unpleasant experiences
Of the past return
Assist me in extending forgiveness
Help me, also to be kind to myself
To not deny the struggles.
Soothe my sore spirit,
When I find the days especially difficult.
Forgive me for my own failings,
And help me to overcome any guilt I have
For not always being my best self.
You know that some days are not easy ones
Bless all of us with your merciful kindness. Amen
I came across this prayer in a book I was reading while traveling to Puerto Rico on a mission trip... it touched me then, in so many ways, and still does.
Don’t we all find ourselves getting irritated or discouraged at times? There are so many things that disrupt our days, our weeks, our minds, our hearts. So... what? How do we find our way?
I have been aware, over and over, throughout my life of the resurrection experiences along the way. Sometimes out of disappointment comes a sense of understanding and peace... the why turns into the way, the hard gives way to heart, the doubt to trust and faith. That’s not an always experience. It happens often enough for me that it keeps despair or defeat outside of my sense of the “armor of God.”
Here are some of my thoughts for myself and others along life’s way:
Pause - breath in before words go out, breathe in space for others, breathe in a sense of love rather than insecurity, breathe in the value and giftedness of whatever/whoever is in front of you.
Open - open your throat before you speak.
If you feel the tightness of fear or anger or grief rising into your throat, go back to pause, breathe, open and lower the tone and the volume of your words – to yourself or others.
Be curious - what just happened?
What brought those feelings rushing to the surface, those words flying out of your mouth? Why? You might think - oh what a bunch of psycho-babble... trust me. I’ve been on the receiving end, and I’ve been on the giving end of words... when the thinking comes after instead of before.
Pray - we all have a different idea about the how, the why, and the what of prayer.
It’s at least partly an offering of ourselves – acknowledging that we are not in this alone, and that in fact... it’s not all about us.
Thank you for listening to the thoughts of my heart and mind, blessings on this journey we share, and peace,
Cathy
