dailydatewithgod

It is a very lonely world when I think that it is only up to me.   There can be a fine line between playing the victim and thinking I got it all figured out.  It is important to recognize that I am not a victim, that I do have a choice.  It is even more important for me to recognize that sometimes the best choice is to turn it over to God.  I cannot possibly know and perceive all the factors involved–only God can do that.  I like the expression, “Row to shore as though it depends upon you.  Pray as though it depends upon God.”  One of the gifts of relegating the outcomes to God is that it allows me to stay focused on the moment.  I can be more fully present in what is happening when I am not preoccupied by how it is all going to turn out.  I would love to say that I do this well, but that it would be more accurate to say that I am a work in progress.  It takes discipline to direct my thinking to the present and release the outcome to God. It requires first a trust that God has my best interest at heart.  I am always surprised at the notions in my mind of a God that has anything but my best interest at heart.  In those situations I get to see where I have placed human qualities (like some authority figure at some point in my life) on God.  When I see that, I am given the opportunity to choose that God as I understand Him/Her is much greater, deeper, stronger, and kinder than I can possibly imagine or experience.  The key for me is noticing when I am thinking “I can’t handle this” or “it’s overwhelming.”  Of course I can’t handle or am overwhelmed by it, I am not supposed to “handle” it.  I am just supposed to be present to what is happening at that moment.  And I am usually overwhelmed because I am trying to think about the future and be present in the moment at the same time (and even dealing with thoughts of the past–no wonder I am overwhelmed!)  It is in those moments that I can take a breath and turn my palms facing open and upward and release the situation to God.  Then my prayer authentically becomes, “How would you like me to show up in this moment, who would you have me be and learn right here and right now. Thank you.”  My prayer for you today is that you find one situation that you are trying to “handle” and let go of the handle.  Take a moment to pause and ask God to show you the gift of why you are there in that moment and trust that God will see to the outcome.  Make it a great one!  Peace~Colleen