Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Philippians 4:4-9 

I love this passage because it provides me two favourite ways to relate to my Dear Divine Friend: one, as an imaginary phone call, and the other as directions for what to do when in doubt. This is what I mean…

ME: Hey, DDF it’s me. You can’t believe the day I’ve had. Everything has been so hard lately, and I’m so tired.

Rejoice in the Lord always –

ME: Seriously, you’ve got to be kidding – after what they said and did, and what I said and did… there’s no way…

- again I will say, Rejoice.

ME: What does that even mean? Rejoice –yeah, yeah to take delight. Whatever, but to do this for this day would require superhuman effort on my part, it would be painful to do…

Let your gentleness be known to everyone.

ME: Really?? And how might that work, exactly… I don’t know how I could do that and be okay.

The Lord is near. 

ME: Yes, but I’m still worried. I don’t know how in the world it will turn out.

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer …

ME: I know, I know pray and let God in… I know, but still…

Let your requests be made known to God.

ME: But I want to know what will happen. I want to know it will be okay! I want to not be afraid. How do I do that? How will I keep myself from spinning out? What can I do instead of worrying?

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me …

ME: And I won’t be worried?

and the God of peace will be with you.

ME: Oh, I feel my shoulders drop… I am feeling better… Thanks for listening… Love you…

Margaret Moore