Gratitude, Humility & Surrender

"We shall steer safely through every storm, so long as our heart is right, our intention fervent, our courage steadfast, and our trust fixed on God." - St. Francis De Sales

Recently I’ve been picking up some interesting books at the library detailing, “CEO success stories”, and “ways to advance your career.” I often find myself to be very impatient with the way a current job or financial situation is working out and so I’m constantly looking at ways to improve myself. When it comes to the impatient feelings, I know that I am not alone. No one is being okay with being mediocre.

What if God wants us to be in this state of dissatisfaction though? I’m not saying that God takes pleasure in seeing us complain and be unhappy. We do not have a God who laughs at our shortcomings. I feel that we do sometimes overlook the idea that God’s will for us at this very moment, is to stay put with the way our lives are panning out now. God could care less if we were CEO’s of billion dollar companies or have stellar reputations. God does care however, about how we use the times that we struggle with being ordinary. When we feel impatient and wish that things could be better; do we pray for the grace to accept things the way they are? Or do we grumble and complain?

 I think there is always a great need for us to be grateful for what have. It can be through these avenues of ordinary living in fact, that we really come to understand the way God works. God wants us to be patient with Him. God is in control at every moment and that’s a great comfort that we can give our restlessness to.

Contemplation On The Lakefront

“In every walk with nature, one receives more than he seeks.”

-             
                 -     John Muir

I find myself this summer drifting toward the various beaches and lakefronts of Milwaukee. There’s a certain feel about Lake Michigan that makes me think about my past.

A big body of water turns into a big body of, “If only”.

“If only I had worked harder in high school.

 If only I hadn’t engaged in past relationships.

 If only I hadn’t been so passive and allowed anything to deter me from my goals.”

I could go on and on as I stand out on the McKinley Marina piers.

The more I dive into my past though, the more I begin to realize that you can’t go on looking back at the decisions that you once made. You have to use your past mistakes as motivation to never make them again. If it’s true past experiences make you wiser, then I guess I feel like one of the greatest minds in the world.

Looking back on the past should make you understand that we really can’t rely on ourselves for anything. As much as we like to think that we have control, we have to understand that God is solely in charge. Past decisions we can never take back, but starting today you give up the future to God. What a relief it will be that God will have your back, if you offer it to him.

No worries.

Let the body of, “If only,” turn into a reminder of the endless opportunities God has in store for you when you leave everything up to him.