From This Heart Back

For both of us, this time in our lives is filled with sadness:  Parkinson’s seeming to ruin lives, a friend's dementia and assisted living issues, a young neighbor across the street facing an unknown serious and debilitating illness…it goes on and on.

I don’t know how we can feel happy about all this.  The key word for me is feel.  I’m not feeling much, except sadness.  I can’t say I’m depressed.  Life is awful.

You said the word “joy.”  What is it?  Is it an emotion?  Or is it a state of being that those of us who belong to our Creator God are in, whatever we feel?

Questions that need pondering.

It is so true that we are not in control of anything…well, perhaps things like turning the washer on and buying groceries, but nothing much bigger.  I’m sure that is an overstatement!  

Hack all these words to pieces, please.

Anne Lamott’s twenty-first century psalm is at the center of the human dilemma, the tension we live in.  I’m so glad you read that yesterday.

Your turn in this “from the heart” conversation.

Julie

From the Heart

Julie and I were talking this morning.  I was saying that joy seems elusive.  I've lost my passions for quilting, painting and even writing.  All of our friends are getting older just as we are, some sick, some dying, most longing for relief from the mental torture and the problems of the world.  All things out of our control, and I've always been fond of control.  Then this afternoon I read a prayer written by #Anne Lamott ( don't know what that hash tag means, but it seemed the appropriate place), a prayer I would have written if my passion for writing hadn't waned.

Hi, God.

I am just a mess.

It is all hopeless.

What else is new?

I would be sick of me, if I were You, but
         miraculously You are not.

I know I have no control over other people's
          lives, and I hate this.  Yet I believe that if I
          accept this and surrender, You will meet me
          wherever I am.

Wow.  Can this be true?  If so, how is this
           afternoon---say, two-ish?

Thank you in advance for Your company and
          blessings.

You have never once let me down.

Amen.