Serenity

Nov. 4,
Today I am going to share a prayer that many people know:
Applying this prayer to my life every day is just about the only way I know to live well in this world. The prayer is attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr.

God, Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonable happy in this life;
and supremely happy with Him in the next.

As I write, I can look out my window and see the absolute beauty of a Virginia fall. Gold, red, green-gold and orange dappled by the sun through the trees. And I know that is God. The silly daily trials and tribulations of life are my chance to apply this prayer and allow those hardships to be my path to peace.
So what if we have lived here six weeks -- and only one week with a floor. We'll get the floor and the accompanying chaos this week. And then we'll get the carpet and the accompanying chaos next week.
Life is too beautiful to be squandered staring at a 50-year-old sub-floor when you have 100-year-old trees in the backyard screaming for your attention.
So, out I go to do my lesson planning on the deck.
Have a blessed and serene week. I hope to do the same.