A prayer/blessing for those of us who aren't "getting better"

[Zebra]

I'm not nearly the person I thought I'd be.

And this life is not what I would have picked.

Blessed are we who say:
God, I have come to the end
of my self-improvement.
Some things are simply not possible.

But even so, give me tasks to do.
Let me play a part in what lovely work
might yet be.

Show me how goodness grows
in the body that I now inhabit,
within the walls of circumstance,
in these short years and finite strength,
and with these eyes that only see so far.

Give me courage to imagine
that any grand work of yours
can fit in the small space that is my life.
Show me your plans.
Sign me up.

God, I have little hope for anything
more except that you can make space here
for growing.
Right here,
where the dust has settled
on the foundations
of my well-laid plans.






*****
Copyright @ 2023 by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie
Excerpt from The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days

 

[sunshine44]

I'm not nearly the person I thought I'd be.

And this life is not what I would have picked.

Blessed are we who say:
God, I have come to the end
of my self-improvement.
Some things are simply not possible.

But even so, give me tasks to do.
Let me play a part in what lovely work
might yet be.

Show me how goodness grows
in the body that I now inhabit,
within the walls of circumstance,
in these short years and finite strength,
and with these eyes that only see so far.

Give me courage to imagine
that any grand work of yours
can fit in the small space that is my life.
Show me your plans.
Sign me up.

God, I have little hope for anything
more except that you can make space here
for growing.
Right here,
where the dust has settled
on the foundations
of my well-laid plans.






*****
Copyright @ 2023 by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie
Excerpt from The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days

Thank you for sharing this zebra.
I resonate so much.
Sending much love your way

 

[southwestforests]

God, I have little hope for anything
more except that you can make space here
for growing.
Right here,
where the dust has settled
on the foundations
of my well-laid plans.

Ohhhh, so, so, VERY relatable.

the dust has settled
on the foundations
of my well-laid plans.

Have been Strongly feeling that emotion across quite a few calendar pages.

And at the same time, actual dust is settling on unfinished craft and hobby projects I thought I'd be able to get finished in an understandable amount of time.

 

[wabi-sabi]

This is so beautiful. Just what I needed to hear right now.

 

[Wayne]

But even so, give me tasks to do.
Let me play a part in what lovely work
might yet be.

Hi @Zebra -- Nice poem, thanks for sharing. I have to say, one of the most important things I've learned from long-term chronic illness, is that even though there were many times when I felt I didn't have anything to offer (to the world or anybody), I discovered there's always something I can share.

None of us know the hardships and challenges others face. Even though things might appear just fine outwardly, they may be suffering in silence inwardly. If I could find a way to muster up the energy to say a kind word, or even smile warmly at somebody, it can sometimes make all the difference in the world to them. Just like it can for us.

 

[Rufous McKinney]

Thank you for this great poem, @Zebra. I needed that.

Ah yes, the many plans, laid.

The best laid plans, of Mice and Men.

I suppose quotes about our Grand Plans, could go on indefinately.

My 2 year old granddaughter said she had an Idea. There we go.

 

[Rufous McKinney]

If I could find a way to muster up the energy to say a kind word

and sometimes, maybe we just can't quite muster it.

Maybe it can be rescheduled for a later more convenient date.

 

[Wayne]

and sometimes, maybe we just can't quite muster it.

Understood, for sure. When that's the case, I often try to just keep my attention on keeping my heart open (not always easy). Can make all the difference in the world, even when we're not necessarily functional in any other way. Who knows, perhaps one of the most important things in life to learn is to keep our hearts open in all circumstances. Do you suppose this is what some of the spiritual teachers and writings have been trying to impart to us?