@bethvogt
(With acknowledgement to Reinhold Neibuhr (1892-1971), who wrote the Serenity Prayer.)
God grant me the serenity
Help me to stay calm. To not yell at my family no matter how much longer we’re quarantined together or say out loud all the snarky comments I’m thinking, even if I do think they’re funny.
to accept the things I cannot change
the requirement to wear masks when I’m outside, the downsizing of birthday celebrations, the inability to visit relatives in assisted living facilities, having to cancel graduation ceremonies and weddings and summer vacations
courage to change the things I can
my frustrated attitude when the days are too long and I the worry I wrestle with through the night, how this situation leaves me feeling helpless
and wisdom to know the difference.
Every day, minute by minute, as I hope and pray for governing authorities who make decisions affecting me and my family and my friends, I need your wisdom, God, to accept what I can’t change and to have strength to change what I can.
Living one day at a time,
believing Your mercies are new every morning,
enjoying one moment at a time,
because there are still things to enjoy despite COVID-19, like laughter and a The Lord of the Rings movie marathon and Zoom coffee get-togethers with friends,
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
hardships like standing six feet from a friend whose mother-in-law just died and not being able to hug her … the loss of a job … financial burdens … loneliness …
taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
I’m gonna admit this part is tough to pray because there are days I just want my way. Days I want things back the way they were before I ever heard the word “COVID-19”;
trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
forever in the next.
Help me to somehow see with your perspective, God. To remember there is more to life than this season of illness. And help me to look past my own desire for happiness today and consider how I might help someone else in some small way.
Amen.
Reading Between the Lines of the Serenity Prayer https://bit.ly/2RAdvrO #serenityprayer #coronavirus Share on X An Honest Prayer for Serenity in the Midst of COVID-19 https://bit.ly/2RAdvrO #serenityprayer #faith Share on X
Comments 8
What a gorgeous photo and quote. And I did not know Neibuhr had written The Serenity Prayer. Nice application of his lines to situations now, but you’re good like that.
Thanks for a very encouraging post.
Author
Thank you, Dee. I’ve known the Serenity Prayer for years now, but it felt good to be more specific with it during this time of sheltering in place.
In togethernes there’s beauty,
but a caveat as well;
we’re designed to have community,
but not to share a cell.
We want to use this time for grace,
with aims both high and noble,
but how are we to squarely face
that impatience is our foible?
The Potemkin Village of intention
only stands when we
know that what we do not mention
is greatest courtesy.
Perhaps these days are looking-glass,
to know our true hearts when they pass.
Author
Andrew: So well said, my poet-friend.
And yes, there are so many lessons to learn from this time of quarantine. One is having the time to look at ourselves more closely and deciding what to change … at the heart-level.
Oh, Beth, I love your thoughts about what could have been/is between the lines of the serenity prayer. There’s so much truth, and definitely humbling that comes if we are to pray that prayer earnestly. Thank you for sharing these thoughts. I’ll be thinking on them today.
Author
Jeanne:
Thanks, friend. I’m finding this sheltering in place is scraping off some rough edges. But I’ll accept that.
Love the quote.
Author
Thanks, Denise. I hope you are doing well while you are sheltering in place — staying healthy and finding a sense of peace.