March 2017

“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.”-Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)

This quote from Theologian Reinhold Niebuhr hung on a wooden plaque in my childhood home. Over a well-used kitchen table upon which my siblings and I learned to read, write in cursive and solve mathematical equations; among other rituals of education including memorizing our scripture verses for Sunday school.  I remember gazing up at these words pondering the meaning in my eight year old heart and mind.  “What does it mean to accept the things that cannot be changed?” decades later, I confess that I am still studying what it means to be patient with God, myself and others.  My Elders use to say “Please be patient with me, God is not finished with me yet.” Learning to differentiate between what you can and can’t control is a sign of Spiritual maturity.  You have a level of control over your commute to work in the morning; however you cannot control nor predict the volume of traffic nor traffic accidents or patterns.  Learning to accept our level of control over events alleviates anxiety and stress.  Instead of stressing out or over reacting to things beyond your control ask yourself what will bring you peace?  Take a deep breath and let go of the outcome of the situation.  We may not be able to change what is happening, however we can change our response, it is the only thing we have control over.  Once you accept that some things are unchangeable, surrender to God’s peace and move on.  May God give you strength, courage and wisdom to move thru life with Grace in the midst of change.

“You must welcome change as the rule but not your ruler”~ Denis E. Waitley

VR/SF
Chaplain Kimberly Cain
LCDR, CHC, USN