September 10th, 2019

“God, give me grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed.”  

The question is not really what things can be changed, but rather who can change them. God can change anything. He is the only being with perfectly free will and the power to alter and intervene. The disciples realized this after Jesus calmed a raging storm. “What kind of man is this”, they asked, “Even the winds and waves obey him!” (Matthew 8:27)

What about you? What things can you change? You can likely change a diaper, possibly change a tire, and most definitely change your plans. There are all kinds of things you may want to change. “I check my look in the mirror, wanna change my clothes, my hair, my face.”  (The Boss) 

But, can you change your spouse…or your spouse-less-ness? Can you change a diagnosis? Can you change that dreadful mistake you made in the past? I know for certain that you have locked horns with at least a fistful of “things that cannot be changed.” I know, too, that fretting over and fighting with those things is fruitless. The third thing I know is that God is in control of all things and that “the Lord works out everything to its proper end.” (Proverbs 16:4) That means everything, even and especially the things you cannot change.  

“O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.”(For Quiet Confidence – BCP p. 832)