It Looks So Easy

The jogger ran by my house. I watched her easy gait and smooth progress. I knew she lived several miles from my house. I admired her. It looks so easy. I am not a runner, my lungs burn after a short distance and my knees don't like all the bounding.

The soloist sang beautifully. Her tones were so clear and lovely. I knew she'd been singing for years. I admired her. It sounded so effortless soaring through the complicated music. I am an alto in the church choir. I struggle to get my part of the harmony right.

When I am struggling I often look around to see who is getting is right. Who seems to being the same thing I attempt and doing it with ease. I know it's not fair to compare myself to professionals. I don't look at an Olympic athlete and say I wish I could do that. But if I am trying to swim laps in the pool I watch and see that the swim team seems to be doing the same thing and with greater ease. I don't like to have to struggle. How can I be more like my model?

Why can't I do all these things with ease? Why is it a struggle to get the chores done? Why can't I exercise without pushing? Why is it so hard? Then I wonder if there are things I do that make other folks watch in wonder of why it's so easy for me. I can write but it takes a long time to get the perfect words on the page. And even longer to get them published.

Sometimes I compare my faith and wonder why it’s so easy for others. How can she be so sure? How can he know all those Bible verses? What makes it easier for others to pray, serve, live a life in Christ while I back pedal. I wonder if my faith matters. I wander around trying to be good but without purpose. Hmmm. I believe, but at the moment it's all so much work. I would rather make me comfortable than work at faith.

The chores and work of faith and life seem like too much. I want faith to be effortless. It was easy for Mother Theresa', right? (Talk about comparing my self to giants of the faith!) Well as it turns out she had to struggle too. In the face of so much to do, so many poor to serve she too wondered about the task at hand. It was not effortless for her. I was emailed one of her secrets this week and I’ll pass it along to you. It’s rather simple but see what you think . . . it’s prayer.

Saint Theresa's Prayer

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be confident knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.
Amen.

Posted 5/28/2008 @ 9:01 AM | Weekly Thoughts