Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 1-154

LIVE A DAY AT A TIME

From ‘Sunrise Sunset’ (HarperCollins/Harper San Francisco), Rowland Croucher’s book of daily meditations. Feel free to use or adapt it.

Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:34.

George Santayana was a Spaniard by birth, but adopted America as his home. Sometimes he formed his philosophy into poetry. For example:

It is not wisdom to be only wise, And on the inward vision close the eyes, But it is wisdom to believe the heart… Our knowledge is a torch of smoky pine That lights the pathway but one step ahead Across a void of mystery and dread.

One step ahead. Live in daytight compartments, said Jesus – one day at a time. All sorts of troubles will fly at you – from yesterday, today and tomorrow. Have you heard of the cartoon character who said to himself ‘I feel like a fugitive from the law of averages!’ as bullets whistled around him?

Having problems is what life is about, so it can’t be all that bad. We have a special place for people with no problems – it’s called a cemetery.

Some problems I cannot solve, Lord, so I ask for a gift of ‘faithful resignation’: the faith to know that if I hand them over to you they’re in good hands. Amen.

Shalom! Rowland Croucher