(Excerpt from chapter "Living on my summit" from Leona's book-in-progress)
Daily I see neighbors walking their
dogs along our street. Pets on a long leash are straining, running
ahead, barking at every rabbit or squirrel, pulling their master
along, and winding themselves around bushes and trees. They even
ignore their master when he calls them. However, if the leash is
short, the canine is under control, obedient, and happily wagging its tail.
A phrase in a familiar hymn is the
confession that I am “prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to
leave the God I love....” Those of us in advanced years sometimes
begin to wander from our spiritual center because the road seems to
be getting too difficult, our feet are sore, and we tire easily. Our
minds wander from our earlier sharp focus on the Lord. I need to keep
close to God's side so I can hear His commands and heed His
instructions.
From my first waking moment and often throughout the
day I ask God to keep me on a short leash. I pray:
Grant me discernment. Show me
Your priorities for the hours of this day. I can no longer do as much
as I did in earlier years. Make Your guidance clear to me and give
me Your strength and wisdom to accomplish only the tasks that You've
specifically appointed for me. I want to hear Your voice clearly so I
can obey and follow You fully. May I be careful to abide in You and
maintain my "first-love" relationship although I am far
along in years. While I do the good works that You have commanded and
fulfill the responsibilities that You have given me, may they not
deter me from a close walk with You. "Martha was
distracted...worried and bothered about so many things; but only a
few things are necessary, really only one..." (Luke 10:40-42).
Schedule this day for me. Bring
into my life everything and only, whatever and whomever, You ordain
in person, by letter, email, phone call, thought, impression, prayer,
event, responsibility or circumstance. Then I will know that
interruptions and changes are not accidental or incidental but my
opportunities and Your appointments for my good and for Your glory.
And please give me good sense to let go of all other good things
which I could do or to be concerned about. Help me accept that they
are not Your main thing for
me because they would draw my time and energy away from Your
priorities. Help me to avoid them and leave them gratefully in Your
hands.
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