Our Father in heaven, You are holy beyond words. Your name is unspeakable, mysterious, sacred. We see you coming to us, interacting with the people on earth. The way you move is changing things. What you need, you have. What you want to happen will happen. Your current moves things around to mirror your heavenly home. Make your home with us! We honour you.
We daily take from your hands what we need to live and prosper. Forget those times we scorned you. We humbly recognize our need for mercy, which you lavish upon us! In light of how you treat us, how can we not forgive those who have mistreated us? We choose now to live in forgiveness.
Keep our feet on the path you created for us. Let our love for you pull us into the center of who you are. We live in the shelter of your character. Keep away the one who breeds injustice, lies, hate, and all the things which you are not. You can do this, for the earth is yours, power over everything belongs to you. It always has and always will. You are glorious! You always have been, and you always will be. We declare it!
Dear One,
I’m living now as I’ve never lived before. I’m living this story you’ve written, ink spilling out of my footprints, out of my fingers and mouth. I used to think if anything was going to happen for me, I’d have to take care of it, because no one else would. A lie of self-sufficiency, no doubt, and one I give up to you. Thank you for naming it for me! Sometimes, I don’t know what pack of stones I’ve strapped to my back. I don’t even know it’s there until my legs begin to shake.
My story was so big, too big. My problems overtook my eyes until I couldn’t see anymore. What a relief it was for me when I realized The Story wasn’t my story. It was yours. You are not just in charge for my sake, but for your own sake. I am woven into your story in the most perfect and lovely way, but this is about you. Next time you write, remind me of the bigger picture. Tell me your story. I’m excited to know you more.
A quick request before I head to bed: I need patience (one of the fruits you offer). I ran out on Wednesday, and don’t know how to get more. I suppose this is the perfect place to see how you move in to fill the substantial gap I leave at the end of myself, but seriously, there is no more Jen-I patience. Let’s plan on meeting at the chasm of what I need and what I can’t offer, and I’ll cheer you on with the story I live.
I’ll end this with some words from Coldplay. Remember? We used to sing this on the subway:
I came here with a load and it feels so much lighter now that I met you. Honey, you should know that I could never go on without you. You are the sea on which I float. You’re the rock on which I stand. I came here to talk and I think you should know, green eyes, you’re the one I wanted to find. Anyone who would try to deny you must be out of their mind.
Much Love to You and Yours,
Sister Mary Jen-I
