As I awaken early in preparation to spend my very cold
day with my confirmation girls at their retreat,
I look up the definition of retreat:
1) AN ACT OR PROCESS OF WITHDRAWING ESPECIALLY
FROM WHAT IS DIFFICULTY OR DANGEROUS...
This one does not fit my day.
2) A PERIOD OF GROUP WITHDRAWAL FOR PRAYER,
MEDITATION, STUDY, OR INSTRUCTION
UNDER A DIRECTOR.
Yes, this one fits perfectly, today we retreat.
Such is the perfect day to introduce my new mission statement.
Each time I have worked for an institution, and employer,
the place had a mission statement.
Therefore, upon beginning my blog, I too had a personal one.
It is found on the right side of my homepage blog.
It was found at a time when I was still employed as a school nurse.
It fit perfectly and I truly did try to live by that statement
each day. Yet, the time has come that it no longer fits my life.
I am now retired, I am now finding my way, my reason
for life here. A few months I came across this beautiful poem,
given to me years ago by someone but unfortunately I don't
remember who.
SLOW ME DOWN LORD
EASE THE POUNDING OF MY HEART, BY QUIETING MY MIND.
STEADY MY HURRIED PACE WITH A VISION OF ETERNAL
REACH OF TIME.
GIVE ME, AMID THE CONFUSION OF THE DAY,
THE CALMNESS OF EVERLASTING SMILES FROM YOUR HEART.
BREAK THE TENSION OF MY NERVES AND MUSCLES
WITH THE SOOTHING MUSIC OF THE SINGING STREAMS
OF YOU IN MY MEMORY - CONSTANT.
HELP ME TO KNOW THE MAGICAL RESTORING POWER OF SLEEP.
TEACH ME THE ART OF TAING MINUTE VACATIONS
OF SLOWING DOWN TO LOOK AT A FLOWER,
TAKE TIME FOR A FRIEND.,
TO PAT A DOG, TO READ A FEW LINES FROM A GOOD BOOK.
SLOW ME DOWN LORD AND INSPIRE ME
TO SEND MY ROOTS DEEP INTO YOUR LIFE
ENDURING VALUES, THAT I MAY GROW
CLOSER TO YOUR DESTINY,
MY HEAVEN.
AMEN
The writing does not end with Amen but for me,
it is fitting, it is needed for this is my prayer.
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