Serenity Prayer

Yesterday, as I waited to hear news of a close family member who was in surgery, I found myself needing to be extra mindful of my thoughts. I was nervous and keen to know that all had gone well.  Instead of pushing these feelings away, I found that accepting my nervousness gave way to a gentleness that wasn’t previously present. I found this gentleness reassuring. Containing its presence enabled me to focus on holding him in my heart and to trust that he was in good hands. I waited until the evening to hear how his surgery went. As you can imagine, I felt such a wave of relief and gratitude when I found out that all had gone well. Now his recovery begins, and I am aware that healing can be a long and winding road. The more I focus on gratitude for what has happened so far, the more energy and strength I have to give support, even if it is from afar.

“In this moment, I feel a powerful sense of surrender. I am reminded of the Serenity Prayer, which has new meaning this morning as I accept that I alone am powerless in making change happen.”

Rachel Podger

In this moment, I feel a powerful sense of surrender. I am reminded of the Serenity Prayer, which has new meaning this morning as I accept that I alone am powerless in making change happen. However, with the support and love of others, I can participate in a joint effort to ensure he knows that he is in my heart. I surrender to love and what it means to be part of a larger sense of family, friends, and community committed to supporting him in his recovery. “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I must (sometimes the word can is used here, but I relate to must) and the wisdom to know the difference.”