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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2018 20:16:33 GMT -5
I never shared this I say it daily. Have it in laminated form with magnet on back to stick on refrigerator. Maybe I will get it when I reach the other side.  |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2018 20:19:17 GMT -5
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Post by Clipper on Jun 24, 2018 12:12:27 GMT -5
The prayer speaks volumes to me personally. Does anyone KNOW where they are going? Do any of us actually believe that they have lived their lives following a desire to please God? I am of the belief that God gave us the power to discern between truth and error, between good and evil, and ultimately between what would be pleasing to God and what is selfishly pleasing only to ourselves.
It has been my experience and belief that my own will had taken me down a road that was far from pleasing to God in my younger days. He let me travel that road and ultimately let me experience the suffering and sorrows of a life of self pity, depression, and a destructive addiction to alcohol. He allowed me to stumble, tumble, and fall down a slippery slope until I literally was brought to my knees at the bottom of that hill. Brought me to my knees in a small church in Frankfort.
It is my guess that in some cases God allows devastating failure to set some people on a course to success. It was a desperate plea to God to turn my life around after many failed attempts to do it on my own. I was brought up by good parents in a home where the Lord and prayer were a part of daily life. We prayed before meals and we prayed before bed. We prayed for the sick, for other's needs, and for our own desires. That was the road that God and my parents attempted to point us down.
Somewhere along the line I lost focus on the desire to lead a life pleasing to God and headed off on a road to please only myself. Many years later I had come to the end of that road. I found that not only was I leading a life that was not pleasing to God, I was leading a life that I grew to hate a bit more each day. I developed a strong desire to go back to the life that was pleasing to God. The life that my parents as well as God intended for me to lead. That desire led me back to a church, led me to pray for God's help with a sincerity I had lost over the years. That desire to please God was rewarded with answered prayers. I found that faith and belief in God can turn a life around and head it back uphill to happiness and success. Since that fateful evening in Frankfort NY many more prayers have been answered. There are times with my own free will takes over and make decisions that do not reflect a desire to please God. It usually doesn't take long for God to show me the error of those ways, smack up beside the head, and turn me back to the correct path.
Thank you for sharing the prayer PB. I relate to every word of Merton's prayer. I find it very comforting to know that the thoughts and beliefs of a man of such wisdom as Merton somewhat closely parallel my own thoughts and beliefs. I am also always somewhat enlightened by YOUR wisdom and experience in the monastic life and your sharing of links such as this one.
Have you read the entire book Thoughts in Solitude? I bet it is an interesting read.
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Post by Clipper on Jun 25, 2018 11:13:35 GMT -5
In re-reading what I posted yesterday I was struck by how much time I spend as I age, pondering the past, enjoying the present, and contemplating the future, wondering what mysteries and experiences lay ahead. I truly enjoy reading, and in my retirement along with time spent in deep thought. I glean both pleasure and knowledge reading what you all post and share on the forum. I thank you for that.
When I was younger life was going by at a breakneck pace between work and life's daily routine. I had little time to ponder the past OR the future. Now I have the time to reflect on the past, and look forward to the future realizing that every day is a gift and that we need to make the most of what time we as older folks have left. There is contentment in having the time to slow down to a more leisurely pace and to take the time to enjoy the people and the world around us. I find the time to enjoy links such as the link to Merton's prayer, and to spend a bit of time actually reflecting on the content and the words and thoughts of others.
I am blessed with three great sons, beautiful grandkids, a wonderful partner in Kathy, and a comfortable life style. While some days still become hectic on occasion, I am truly enjoying the opportunity to live life at a pace that allows for time to stop and smell the roses.
Retirement for me has meant the difference between sitting at the breakfast table stressfully trying to figure out how I was going to squeeze 15 or so hours of chaotic activity into nd 8 or 10 hour period, and a peaceful and relaxing breakfast with Kathy while thinking about what we might do to FILL the day. Those of you left on the forum are a part of my morning every day. I get up before Kathy, make my first cup of coffee and either sit outside watching the world come to life, or sit down here at the desk and check the Utica news and obits in the OD, and checking the forum.
Thanks for being a pleasant part of my mornings and days and for sharing YOUR experiences and links to interesting reading.
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