A common quote in our household is when Inigo Montoya interrupts his losing sword fight with the masked man (who is obviously much more than he appears to be) and asks in amazement, with Spanish accent, "Who ARE you?" When a member of the family isn't acting as predicted, we quote this line. And so I ask you today, "Who are you? How would you describe yourself?
I am Willing Prayer
Do What You Require
This next to last line of our prayer resonates with me. I can easily relate to this one and at first glance, I say "No problem, I've got this." After all, I was raised on the hymn "Trust and obey." I have shared before about my propensity to "do."
Wait Until You Say Go
A friend described traveling as an experience of "hurry up and wait."
Suffer What You Ordain
The thing about suffering is that we can always downplay our own by finding someone who suffers more than we do.
Surrender what You Claim
we already have or whatever God asks of us, withholding nothing.
Lack What You Withhold
The 4th line of our challenging prayer reads: I am willing to lack what You withhold. I don't like being in a state of not having enough of something or being without. It has been common knowledge that my greatest lack the past six months was a home of my own.
Release What You Take
In the Last entry, I looked at receiving whatever God gives without guilt and without complaint. Now, I take a step back, because I believe I often cannot receive unless I first release.
Receive What You Give
Last year (2013), Mark and I celebrated our 25th anniversary. We had wanted to go back to Bali, but as the time approached, we realized that was too far, too expensive and we had been there, done that. We wanted someplace new. The Caribbean was our answer. Tropics, familiar flora, ocean, papaya, snorkeling—heaven! So we ended up spending ten glorious days in St. Lucia. What a wonderful gift to receive from the Lord!