When I was a little girl, I remember my Mom having this prayer on her bedside table. To be honest, I had no earthly idea what it meant—I only remember that it was there. I find tremendous comfort today in knowing that she knew what it meant.
The "Serenity Prayer" goes like this:
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference." --Reinhold Niebuhr
I love that prayer.
Have you figured out yet that in this life, there are limits to what you can change? I mean, seriously? There is much is this life that we can't change, hard as we might try. Number one being the fact that we simply can't change people. There is truly only One who can change someone. Takes tremendous pressure off, if you think about it, to not have to even try.
Then there's the "courage to change the things I can." What I continue to learn is that most areas where God is showing me that change is needed—it's tremendously hard work. The best news I know is that He promises that His strength is made perfect in my weakness so where I know change must come, I can rely on His power to do it ... in and through me.
Awwwww, then there's "wisdom to know the difference." It takes a smart big girl to know her limits. To accept some things ... just as they are. To walk with courage and begin tackling the things where she knows change MUST happen. Wisdom to know when to speak ... when to be quiet. Wisdom to know when to step up ... wisdom to know when to sit down. Acceptance. Courage. Wisdom. There is a sweet place of balance in our lives when we come to a place of rest in all three.
Is there something you need to accept today? Maybe you need to let go of "trying" to make something happen? Cease trying to shove a door open and let God be God, doing what only He can?
Do you need to tighten your belt buckle of courage, stand tall and confident, and step toward change in an area where you know that you will have to totally rely on Him to help you pull it off?
How about just plain ole' wisdom? Do you need God's perspective to help you either let go or hold on? Somewhere in the midst of letting go or holding on—you will find Him there.
God helps us to accept what we can't change.
He gives us courage (and power) to change what we can.
He pours out wisdom so that as we seek His heart, we will know the difference.
