Inside My Head
“MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”
― Thomas Merton
Much love,
Mickeelie
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”
― Thomas Merton
Much love,
Mickeelie
How beautiful and terrible are the words with which God speaks to the soul of those He has called to Himself, and to the Promised Land which is participation in His own life - that lovely and fertile country which is the life of grace and glory, the interior life, the mystical life.
ReplyDeleteThomas Merton, The Seven Storey Mountain
YES! Reminds me of our first old testament paper where we had to compare the journey of the Israelites to the promised land with the NT Christian life with Jesus. Still trying to find an English version of Thomas Merton's autobiography on this continent. No such luck so far. I might have to wait for England.
ReplyDeleteThere are three of his books waiting for you on the bookshelf in the living room! :) Right beside Madeleine L'Engle's trilogy inspired by his works!! I feel a summer of reading on the porch coming on...
ReplyDeleteWait, really? Hmm... maybe I'll be patient and save my money then. Is his autobiography one of them? Because my friend Larry from Prague told me I absolutely HAVE to read it. Definitely summer reading. When I get home from work every day :)
ReplyDeleteWe have:
ReplyDelete1. The Seven Storey Mountain - this is his search for faith and peace and the journey that he takes as a young man which ultimately leads him to enter a Trappist monastery. As his autobiography it is hailed as a "twentieth-century form of the CONFESSIONS OF ST. AUGUSTINE". I think this is the one that you are looking for...
2. Seasons of Celebration - his reflections on the cycles of the liturgical year.
3. Dialogues with Silence - A more recent compilation of his art work paired with his prayers. It's brilliantly simple!!
Yeah that's the one. Lovely! Can't wait to read 'em all! Care to dig into Augustines confessions with me when I get home? I got a copy in England during Christmas at the cathedral but I didn't bring it traveling with me.
ReplyDeleteWould love to and can't wait! I have another author, Parker Palmer, as suggested by Dot during her last visit, on my list of "summer reading" as well!!
ReplyDeleteMickeelie, I'm thinking about our "little girl" who used to love curling up on the cottage bed reading Archie's right now and I am in awe of how Jesus is walking with you, guiding you and leading you to an abundant life in Him!
ReplyDeleteLove you honey and can't wait until you get home ... PS get well soon! Love Aunt Karen (aka grama-to-be!)
Thank you Aunt Karen! I miss you so much!
ReplyDeleteI think a dinner at our house should be arranged for when I get home :) I would to try my hand at some of these Italian recipes and see you all in one room again!
So excited for your whole family! I didn't know what to do with myself when I heard the news! Lyssie is going to be an amazing mother, and you are going to be the best gramma! That child will get some lovin' for sure. Congratulations! Love you