Prayer...God Has Perfect Timing

God has perfect timing.Never early, never late.

It takes alittle patience and faith, but it's worth the wait.

Serenity Prayer- Have you ever read the rest of it?

   This is one of my favorite prayers from one of my favorite movies, Billy Jack which starred Tom Laughlin back in 1971.  In the movie, it's recited by the lead female character, Jean Roberts as Martin mistakenly credits the Serenity Prayer to St. Francis of Assisi. However, St. Francis did not write it. It is frequently quoted but rarely credited or cited in it’s entirety. 
   
    According to Wikipedia it is most well known today as the serenity prayer, used by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) since 1941 and common to many other 12 step programs. The prayer was also printed on small cards and circulated to soldiers in the Armed Forces.

   Here is the complete prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr wrote the prayer for use in a sermon, perhaps as early as 1934.

Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971) 

God, give us grace to accept with serenity

the things that cannot be changed,

Courage to change the things

which should be changed,

and the Wisdom to distinguish

the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,

Enjoying one moment at a time,

Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,

Taking, as Jesus did,

This sinful world as it is,

Not as I would have it,

Trusting that You will make all things right

If I surrender to Your will,

So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,

And supremely happy with You forever in the next.

Amen.

As I was researching this prayer I came upon the following:
God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the only person I can, and the wisdom to know that person is me." - Author Unknown.  
I like it.

Inner Peace

If you can start the day without caffeine,

If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,

If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,

If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,

If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,

If you can take criticism and blame without resentment ,

If you can conquer tension without medical help,

If you can relax without liquor,

If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,

…Then You Are Probably The Family Dog!

source: http://granny7xsthought.blogspot.com

Brought By A Dream- For John

Originally written as a song played on my guitar for my husband, John 1978

I've searched for you everywhere.
In crowded streets, though faces so blank.
In passing cars, maybe even went as far
as looking through lines at the bank.

You're that special man I've never met
but knew I would recognize as mine.
By how you walked, the difference in the way you talked,
how you smiled, even how your eyes would shine.

You see, I've dreamed of you for so long a time
that I created your image in the back of my mind.
Just waiting for you to come to life for me
to prove not all dreams die in the face of reality.

but rather...

Breathe and walk in my direction
and rescued me from the false loves who came before.
All the trials that I endured for your sake
because I was sure you'd be worth it, that and so much more.

And how true it was when I first saw you
I left imagination far behind.
My dreams were brought from inside
and brought me love..uncomplicated and mine.

Now I know all of those dreams were meant to come true
cause they are standing by my side, all here within you.
For I found them all when you came to life for me
and proved that not all dreams die in the face of reality.

A Walk For The President

A Woman's Creed

I believe that I am created in the divine image of God.

That my body and spirit are holy.

The God, who dwells in all creation, lives in the inmost depths of my being.

I believe that I am loved by God just as I am, without conditions or demands that I be more.

I am enough.

This love sustains me when I am in doubt and upholds me when I fail.

I believe that God desires my freedom and wholeness, the full expression of my talents.

I need not live by values of others, nor silence myself to please them.

I can let my own voice ring out, my own song be sung. I can trust what I feel & know, living out of my own deepest truth.

I believe in the power of women to heal and love, to seek truth and justice.  I believe that my gifts and strengths are for cherishing myself, others and the world around me. The more I care for myself, the better I will be able to care for all living beings.

Source: Kathleen Fischer and Thomas Hart, A Counselor's Prayer Book.  

For Daddy

My father died on Friday, December 30, 1988. 25 years ago.
Hard to believe he's been gone so long.
I miss you, Daddy

We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name,
In life we loved you dearly; in death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone.
For part of us went with you, the day God called you home.
You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide,
And though we cannot see you, you are always at our side.
Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same,
But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.
Love you, Dad more »