Refreshing my spirit

Acquire a firm will and the utmost patience.
  – Anandamayi Ma

“We begin our journey towards the supreme goal of life from where we stand. Just as it is good to be patient with others, it is equally necessary to be patient with ourselves. After all, when the desire to live for others comes to us, we can be haunted by our past mistakes, by the amount of time we have wasted in selfish pursuits. But we must accept ourselves with all our strengths and weaknesses.“

“There are many obstacles on the spiritual path which can strengthen us, and these cannot be overcome unless we have infinite patience with ourselves. If we are patient with others, shouldn’t we be patient with ourselves as well? Each of us is individual, with our own special qualities. We start now, where we are, with our partial love for money, partial love for pleasure, partial love for prestige, and a little love for God. We will progress at our own pace. It is not good to compare one person’s progress with another’s.“ – Easwaran

This is a topic which is like water to a weary, and parched landscape.

I need most of all, this patience with myself.

This day is rich. I awoke to the call of a Mockingbird at 4:45am, even though the sun was not up, he wanted it to be. The day had begun for him. After helping Leslie open her browser on the computer, I had a coffee and some reading from the Gita.

I then watered the plants all over the back yard, with a liberal feeding of MiracleGro and Iron. The early morning in the dog days of Texas summer is the only time of day that it is all bearable outside. 80 degrees, not bad. Time to meditate, quieting my heart to the dong of the singing bell. Be still, my soul. I am reminded of the plight of Arjuna, who was timid in the face of the battle. The strength to do battle comes from the heart. The ultimate battle is for the mastery of one’s soul and mind. This battle is wearying. Only the Incarnate One can refresh my spirit, soul and mind.

I am in need of holy patience—patience with myself. There is work to be done on my character and my soul, the Spirit knows this all too well. The rich days and blessed times, they must be savored, and life is to be appreciated, and viewed with gratitude, with a heart of thanksgiving to God in Christ.

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groans that cannot be expressed in words.

Pray for me, for my loved ones, for my church, for my friends and sojourners, Holy Spirit.

May it be so today.

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