In Which A Kidney Stone Happens

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Sunday, July 17, 2016

In Which A Kidney Stone Happens

No one can say that I lead a boring life. Always something going on. This afternoon, someone close to me had a kidney stone. Again.

Yes, the pain was excruciating. Yes, I took the loved one to the hospital. And, yes. Everything is all right now.

But, how quickly everything can change. In just a half an hour, perhaps a bit more. Going from perfectly normal and pain-free to debilitating, excruciating pain.

I wonder. How is it that one little misstep can mean a catastrophic fall? Or, losing one’s balance can cause life-threatening injury? Or, a split second of inattention on the road can mean a multiple car accident?

I guess I go through life blithely, never thinking about ninety percent of the things that are near misses. I suspect the vast majority of people in the world are the same way. Yet, today, I thought about all of those times, all of those situations that just could have been. Catastrophic, or life-threatening. Even, the sudden loss of life.

Dear God, thank You for watching over me. Thank You for being a strong Fortress, my trustworthy Dwelling Place. I pray that You may continue watching over me and my family, and my loved ones. Lord, in Your mercy, hear my earnest prayers.

In Your mercy, hear all of our prayers. #PrayForNice

@chaplaineliza

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Please Forgive Me.

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Monday, December 21, 2015

Please Forgive Me.

A position of control. Who doesn’t like to be in control? That is exactly where I am when I say, “That’s okay. I forgive you.”

But what about the flip side? What about when I totally made a misstep? When I put my foot in my mouth? Make a fool out of myself with another asinine comment? That makes me feel really small, really young and foolish.

So, who wouldn’t feel small, after considering that? Regardless of whether I have sacred guinea pigs or a deal of an alphabet soup, Henri Nouwen’s insight remains so profound. Imagine asking another person, “Can you forgive me?” Just think of how much openness of spirit and generosity it would take?

But, let’s go one further. Imagine asking God, “Can You forgive me?”

Nouwen even goes the next step, after that. He says in a quote from today’s reading: “Can I be open to forgiveness?” [1] Can I, indeed!

The Advent Action for this day, so appropriate: “Ask forgiveness of one person today. Let each person you meet today leave your presence a happier person.” [2]

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

[1] Advent and Christmas: Wisdom from Henri J. M. Nouwen (Linguori, Missouri: Redemptorist Pastoral Publications, 2004), 46.

[2] Ibid, 47.