How?

How do we bring “hopeful realism” into the moment by moment of our lives? My spirit is heavy lately. It is far easier to walk around maintaining this heaviness than it is to make the effort to set the heaviness aside and adopt a joyful attitude. Besides, isn’t it “fake” to put on a smile, to look up instead of down, especially when I don’t feel it?!

No, it isn’t fake! In fact, it is more accurate! It is a better reading of reality. Adopting the joy that hangs just in front of our faces is consenting to the presence of God in our lives!

God is more powerful than the forces that rage and broil and quake all around us. God is more powerful than our worries and anxieties. God is — and we are, when we accept the grace God offers us. What is grace? It is the willingness to look for a solution. It is the wisdom to see that solution. It is the effort it takes to put that solution into motion. And it is the stamina required to keep that motion going. We just have to say yes over and over again and follow through.

It is a big “just,” isn’t it? But it is what makes the difference. “Choose life,” God tells us (Deuteronomy 30:16). Say yes. Keep saying it. That is how.

Reflection

What gets in the way of your consent to God’s presence and grace?

Prayer

God, I get in the way! My brain gets in the way! Doubts, accusations of naivete, fear of feeling and looking foolish, pride — all these crowd in and shut you down. Help me to laser focus on you. Help me to just admit you’re here, whether I like it or not, and then may I accept the grace and take it out for a ride, so to speak. May I consent you’re here and then move to see what I perceive better and do better. Amen.