WORST FEAR? WELCOME IT!

In faith, there is no possibility of an uninterrupted success story. The only way you’re going to face your wild beasts and your shadows is by failure and rejection, by people not loving you, by having to learn how to love your [spouse] and your children and those who hurt you—the enemies—those who make you aware of your own incapacity to love. -- Fr. Richard Rohr

I find such comfort in that quote of Rohr's. That which my reasoning mind has ever prayed for is the exact opposite of that which I need. Whose reasoning mind would think to pray for failure and rejection when facing its "wild beasts and shadows?"

Ah, but we don't pray for them...our Father knows our needs...we accept them as they come creeping into our conscious mind. We accept them with grit and knee-knocking courage. Until, through our own experience, we come to believe that these apparent "wild beasts and shadows" are God's will. Then we can...most often...accept them when they first start nibbling at the edges of our mind...before they get an ego-hold. 

We find again the magic of acceptance, and our acceptance is so simple. I'm guessing that's why it takes so long to believe...that a simple "thank you" could be our keys to the kingdom, peace of mind. Who knew? More like, who could accept that without trying it repeatedly unto successfully...say, more than seventy times seven.

It is our own personal success in giving over, giving up, giving in, that convinces us, and it starts and ends with "thank you."

If the only prayer you say in your life is thank you, that would suffice. -- Meister Eckhart

Thank you.