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Prayerful Morsels
Tidbits of Inspiration & Information
September 25, 2009 |
Morsels From the Editor
Welcome to this issue of Prayerful Morsels. This issue has turned into a Thomas Merton issue. I didn't set out for it to be that way but the Holy Spirit must have inspired me for some reason! Hope you enjoy it! In Personal Pondering, I reflect on a quote of Merton's that I like. And then I posted The Merton Prayer which is one of my favorite prayers of all time. Check out the different links in these articles to learn more about Thomas Merton. Do not forget to check out the Gratitude Journal and submit one of your own blessings for the next issue! Be sure and recommend Prayerful Morsels to your friends and family. They can sign up at my blog, Thoughts on Grace. Or click on the link at the bottom of this issue that says Forward to a Friend.You can also read past issues by going to my archive page for Prayerful Morsels.Happy Fall! Any comments or suggestions, be sure to write a Letter to the Editor. |
Prayerful Quote
My God I pray better to You by breathing.
I pray better to You by walking than by talking.
- Thomas Merton, Dialogues with Silence
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Personal Pondering
by Colleen Spiro
I love reading Thomas Merton. I especially love his journals. He writes about his life, his thoughts, his prayer, his spiritual journey. Sometimes they read like a diary and sometimes they read like a reflection or a prayer. They always seem honest and from his heart.
A few years ago, when I first read The Sign of Jonas, his first journal, I found this quote that I loved so much, I still have a sticky note on that page:
"It seems to me the most absurd thing in the world to be upset because I am weak and distracted and blind and constantly make mistakes! What else do I expect? Does God love me any less because I can't make myself a saint by my own power and in my own way? He loves me more because I am so clumsy and helpless without Him - and underneath what I am He sees me as I will one day be by His pure gift and that pleases Him - and therefore it pleases me and I attend to His great love which is my joy."
I think I love this quote so much because I have been fighting perfectionism for years. I get upset when I am not perfect or I make mistakes. And to think that Thomas Merton had these same thoughts. Somehow it makes me feel better.
And he is, of course, right when he says that God does not love us any less when we make mistakes. God knows our hearts. God knows who we are and who He created us to be.
Why am I so worried about God not loving me any more when I screw up?
If I could only learn to see myself as God sees me, I would have less fear. Fewer insecurities.
I cannot make myself a Saint. I cannot earn my salvation. It is God's work. I just need to trust and surrender to God and, as Merton said, "attend to His great love." |
The Merton Prayer
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. - Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude
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A Gratitude Journal
"If the only prayer you ever say in your life is thank you, it will be enough." Meister Eckhart
Dear Lord,
Thank you for:
1. Beaches - I love the beauty and the vastness of the sea, the birds and the dolphins and the sunsets, and the feelings I have of closeness with God
2. My family and friends - I love you and thank you for your love and support
3. Chocolate - not good for my diet but great for my tastebuds!
4. You - my subscribers.
5. My faith - thank you, Lord. Amen. - from Colleen
What are you grateful for today??? Is there something that you would like to thank God for and would like to share? Write to the Editor and put in the subject line - Gratitude. | |
Want to read more of Colleen's reflections?
Go check out her blogs, Thoughts on Grace, is HERE.
Simple Reflections is HERE. And her book blog, Surviving By Grace, is HERE.
AND if you enjoy reading this ezine or find it helpful to your prayer life, please forward it to someone you think might find it interesting!! Click on link below (down below at the bottom of this newsletter) that says Forward to a friend. |
 Colleen's memoir about surviving child sexual abuse, The Third Floor Window, A True Story of Secrets, Survival and Hope, is on sale at:
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| Prayerful Morsels
Copyright 2009 Colleen Spiro - All Rights Reserved |
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