A Faded Song

That the future is a faded song, a
Royal rose or a lavender spray
of wistful regret for those who are
not yet here to regret
Pressed between yellow leaves of a
book that has never been opened.
And the way up is the way down,
the way forward is the way back.
You cannot face it steadily, but this
thing is sure,
That time is no healer: the patient
is no longer here.

"The Dry Salvages", T.S. Eliot

A paradox we rarely come to terms with is how suffering we endure actually helps us. It is in the toughest times that we call to God for help and seek Him the most. In our desperation we look to Him as we feel so helpless. And yet, we are always able to draw close to God all the time. But in good times when all is going well, we tend to lose that need for God. We may not believe that, but it is easy to have the tendency to act in that manner.

And that is dangerous. It is exactly what Satan wants us to think. The more we feel independent of God's will, the further we stray from God. Then it becomes a slippery slope.

It is all our doing. We choose every single day whether to walk close to God or take a step away. Leaving our future in God's hands is the toughest thing to let go of, but it is always the best choice. God's ways are perfect.

We also choose to be joyful or wallow in a bad time. No matter what we are going through, we can choose to be full of joy, for when God is our source of joy, we are filled to the brim because it is not of earthly sources. And it will not spill unless you tip it over to make room for earthly things to fill you.

So, fill me Lord, with the heavenly joy that has me looking to You all my days.