A Meditation (Author Unknown)
You are mine, and I love you.
Before you could even think or breathe,
I knew you and I love you.
You mean that much to me
That I know you and call you by your name.
If you remember only one thing, let it be this:
I will never forget you.
I will never abandon you
Because you are mine, and I love you.
I am always faithful, even when you are unfaithful
And when you are unfaithful,
I forgive you — again, and again, and again.
I accept you as you are right now.
I accept you, not despite, but with your past.
But I also want you to be more.
It makes me sad when you're not your real self-
When you choose to compromise, or be phoney, or play games
or be a pleaser.
So I challenge you to accept yourself —
Your real self with all its Strength and weakness,
With all its holiness and sinfulness,
With all its joy and sadness.
Accept it all as I accept you.
But strive to be your best self,
Your real self,
Your free self.
And if you find yourself hating your brother, pause and ask,
"Why do I hate myself?"
And if you find yourself being intolerant of those around you,
Pause and try to be a little more tolerant of yourself.
And if you find it hard to forgive those around you,
Why can't you forgive yourself?
Please realize that struggle and pain
Are the only real avenues to growth.
Be patient and hopeful in your struggle
And try to understand the struggle of your brother.
That good Samaritan, you know? That's you.
That story my Son, Jesus, told you
Means that you have to get outside of yourself
And respond to the needs of others.
And you have to care enough about yourself
So that you can really care for others.
You know, there'll be times when
Everything seems to be crumbling down before you.
At those times, remember this:
Is there someone in your life who really loves you?
I love you more!
Is there someone who really listens to you?
I live in your heart!
Is there someone who really understands you?
I understand better than you understand yourself!
So don't ever give up.
Rather, give in!
Give in to me!
I promise I will do so much for you.
Please, please, let me in.
Let me love.
Let me set you free.
Engineer my circumstances, O Lord, according to Your Will