God Does the Work, All We Have to Do Is Ask, Revised 11/7/13

        I wrote this in July of 2011.  Many of you may not have read it, as most of you were not around, back then.  I updated it, along with the gratitudes.  Please let me know your response.

        Wishing you a great and grateful day, The Innkeeper

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        I'm grateful that areas in our lives needing improvement get better when we turn them over to God.  Progress does not occur by working harder, or thinking positively, despite what the self-help books proclaim.  Sorry,
Oprah Winfrey, Robert Schuller, Tony Robbins and Norman Vincent Peale.  Our best efforts and thinking brought us to where we are.  Life improves when we rely on God's grace.  His transforming power, working in the vulnerable parts of our lives, is the source that allows us to transcend our weaknesses and struggles.

      I'm mindful that there's no humility in self-will.  How often we say, "I'll do this and I'll do that," without considering what God wants to do in our lives---His will.  Easing God Out is a good way to consider ego.  It's always better having His assistance.  The following passage expands on this:

Humility is misunderstood.  It is not weakness; it is strength.  It does not mean submission, resignation or compliance; all  these imply having reservations.  In humility, is total willingness, it is grateful acceptance.  It's embracing God's help because we are convinced that, without it, we cannot achieve our goals.

Humility is honesty and depth of vision. It is a realistic assessment of ourselves and our part in the scheme of things.  It places us in an accurate relationship with God.  Before all else, we stop controlling people and happenings in life.  Ego gives way to the Power in charge. The more we accept this fact, the more we grow in the belief that there are other avenues open to us.  We are no longer alone, no longer helpless, we can change, all we have to do is ask.....

As our dependence on God grows, we begin overcoming the habit of relying only on ourselves.  To rid ourselves of unwanted shortcomings, we learn to rely on assistance from our spiritual Partner.

      The challenge facing us today is the siren call of busyness.  Being harried is a primary characteristic of today's society.  Multiple demands confront us.  Few are needful.  Making time----Quiet Time---exercising spiritual disciplines, connecting with God, is critical for mental, spiritual, physical and emotional health.  The quality of our lives will improve.  Our brains and spirit will be able to breathe, gaining greater perspective.   We'll have an Attitude of Gratitude.  Serenity and sanity will no longer be just words but reality.
   
My Gratitudes:
1. I had a terrific time at work.  So good, that I'm exhausted.
2. I had dinner with friends. It's invigorating, checking in with my community.  Sharing downtime with others invigorates me.  It helps, getting in a few laughs.
3. I look forward to getting a good night's rest.
4. I love being spiritually challenged.  I've been spending time listening to what God is saying through  the circumstances of my life.  I thankful for the peace I enjoy when I don't resist the waves of life's challenges but surf them, instead.  I've found it pays off, when I keep an open mind.

How About You? 
How do you embrace your relationship with your Higher Power---God---as you know Him?  Please let me hear from you.  It's always terrific taking in other points of view.