The Only Prayer...

If the only prayer you ever say in your whole life is "thank you," that would suffice.

Its interesting...much of my laid-back, low-stress, easy going life has suddenly taken on a breakneck pace ...and I'm not sure I like it. I'm beginning to catch my breath & regain my equilibrium, but change of any sort can be rather difficult for me to cope with. Mostly I like to just "go with the flow", I like to see myself as flexible & easy going, but the truth is I'm really only like that when I feel like I am in control. Some people I hear relish change, they like to move, to change jobs, do whatever they can all to experience something new & exciting. Not me. To me change brings chaos, disruption, and, all too often pain. I am (slowly) learning that not all change is bad, and that embracing new things in my life invites new growth and allows me new opportunities to trust God.
Ah, there's the rub. Its about control & trust. My life is not my own, I have been bought with a price. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) Doubt and fear and uncertainty crowded my mind this morning as I was trying to pray. Am I making the right choices? How much further can I stretch my paycheque? How much further can I stretch myself to do & to be everything every one requires of me? And in all of this is there still going to be room for ME? For what I want? What I need? All I could do in that moment was cry out to God, to admit once again that I can not do this on my own. I need Him to open and close the right doors, to provide, as He always has, all I need and so much more. I found myself remembering instances of His faithfulness, and I began to feel lighter and easier again.

Part of my morning routine is choosing a positive, funny or provocative quote to use as my FaceBook status for the day. To me it seems like a good forum to shine a little bit of light or encouragement into a difficult world, and to remind myself of what I truly value. The quote I found this morning was; "If the only prayer you ever say in your whole life is "thank you," that would suffice." and I realized as I posted it on my page, that it was in giving thanks, in recalling the blessings in my life, I began to regain my peace.

Sometimes life is hard and complicated. Sometimes I have to try to do more with less. I want to live my life more freely and with less fear. I am trying to make room in my life for new things, new friends. The road ahead is dim & hazy, and I am not sure where I am headed, but I know God will not let me fall out of His grasp. I know I am surrounded by friends and family who love me & will help me forge my path, and will pick me up when I stumble. I may not have everything I want today, but I do have everything I need. The rest will come when the time is right. For now I will simply be thankful for all I do have, and give thanks for the promise of good things yet to come.