Morning Prayer

[partly]

Well, I couldn't find a prayer I liked for tomorrow and, needing to write something, I came up with my own. Which is good, because the book I had been using was running out of good ones.

Endings

Here I stand amid the rush of the last days of school. I find myself searching for time to complete all that needs to be completed. I find that I am fighting a losing battle to keep young minds focused when they are counting down the hours just as faithfully as I am. In an effort to remain focused, every task becomes a "last task" -- The last of the homework needs to be handed in and handed back. The last of the tests need to be given and taken. The last Monday needs to be faced. The last Friday needs to be celebrated. The last class needs to be held.

Checklists to the end.

There is a finality in the air that sings through the halls: an excited, mournful chorus of final days, final grades, final farewells.

But, yet, these last days of school, are also first days of summer. School is ending, but vacation is beginning. We draw a line and say: This, this is end of school, but following that line is the beginning of something new. For the students, one grade is ending, but the next is beginning. For teachers, one class may be finished but another waits in the wings. I look and say "end" when I could just as well say "beginning". Yes, there are things that need to be done. And yes, there are things that will never be again. But there will also be new things that were never there before. New tasks that need to be planned for.

The Lord said "I am the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the ending". May I take courage in knowing that whether I chose to see it as an ending or a beginning, God will be there.

Comments

[imbri6.livejournal.com]

Beautiful. Just wonderful. I particularly like:

I look and say "end" when I could just as well say "beginning". Yes, there are things that need to be done. And yes, there are things that will never be again. But there will also be new things that were never there before.

Would that we all took time to anticipate the new! Far, far, far too often we fixate only upon the ends.

[partly.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

One of my favorite movies is National Velvet and in it Velvet's mother is giving her the money for her to enter her horse in the Grand National. When she does so she says:

"Win or lose, it's all the same. It's how you take it that counts and knowing when to let go. Knowing when it's over and time to go onto the next thing. Things come suitable to their time. Enjoy each thing, then forget it and go onto the next."

I've always loved that. Things end because they have to, because there has to be room for the next thing.

[imbri6.livejournal.com]

I've never seen National Velvet, though I have vague memories of possibly having read it as a child... Might need to go find the film! I've been greatly influenced by Babylon 5, "The universe puts us in the place we should be. They may not be easy, but we are in the right place, at the right time." The only difference in philosophy I have from Velvet's mom is that I'd like to remember the past and cherish the lessons learned. So many friends have come into and walked out of my life over the years. I'm sad to see them go but so cherish the lessons I've learned from them. Not sure I have "no regrets", but they are few and small, for if I'd not made those mistakes I'd not be here, and here is a nice place to be....

[donnickcottage.livejournal.com]

Have a great summer lass. Do for you.

[partly.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

I'm thinking this summer will be good. A few hitches right now and some things that I need to do but don't want to... but it feels to me that forces are gathering and it's gonna be a right fine couple of months.