November 17, 2021

Anne Lamott says, “My mind is a bad neighborhood that I try not to go into alone.” So funny, so true.

Here’s another take. “If you can sit quietly after difficult news, If in financial downturns you remain perfectly calm, If you can see your neighbors travel to fantastic places without a twinge of jealousy; If you can happily eat whatever is put on your plate; If you can fall asleep after a day of running around without a drink or a pill; If you can always find contentment just where you are……..You are probably a dog.”

As far as I can tell, you can’t get out of your own neighborhood and we aren’t animagi (humans that can turn into animals in the Harry Potter world). But at least you don’t have to go into that neighborhood alone. God is standing guard. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

“O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed: Give us that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and also that by thee, we, being defended from the fear of all enemies, may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.” (A Collect for Peace – BCP p. 69)