BY GRACE AND BY GOD...OR LOVE AND LAUGH

Sometimes I say to myself a little prayer in my advancing years, “God, help me to be the kind of old person young people want old people to be. Help me not just to talk like this, but help me to walk around like this and answer the phone like this and talk to my grandchildren like this.” We’re all trying to do our best here to walk the walk. -- James Finley as quoted in Fr Richard's "Daily Meditation,"  May 13, 2022

I recall my recent flash about seeking not to grow bigger, smarter, better in this world, but to grow smaller, wee-er, lesser in the spiritual world, and I am comforted that I feel no itch to improve that...no doubt comforted by James Finley's encompassing permission, We’re all trying to do our best here to walk the walk. 

My first thought on reading that, ain't that the truth!, led right into the next...then why do I still sit in judgment? Of myself and others? 

For it is true...we are all trying to do our best, even the least amongst us. Those "least" being the ones we find so objectionable as viewed through our own cracked lens, or high-seeking standards. Yes, those standards we are seeking diligently to spiritually improve.

Geez, I think I just twisted myself into a brief take on resist not evil. If we follow it to its own conclusion, there is no evil to resist. Or as Golas taught, when we learn to love hell, we will be in heaven.

All these thoughts, words, ramblings are my truth...from my eyebrows up. The rest of my life and however many I need after this one can be spent on proving their truth...to me...by God.

That is precisely why Finley's "we're all doing our best here" is the pearl beyond price. 

Higher truths are necessary for us to aim for, but "walking the walk" is a daily reminder to just get over our own self. Which is more daily necessary than higher truths resting out there in the ether. We'll come to those in God's good time...by grace and by God. 

Get grateful...love and laugh.

Thank you.