Continuing the prayer from yesterday, here are a few more verses:
“Just for today I will try to adjust myself to what is; not try to adjust everything to my own desires. I will take my family, my business, and my luck as they come and fit myself to them. Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind. I will study, I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer. I will read something that requires effort, thought, and concentration”
When I accepted that life is difficult, somehow it became easier. God does not promise constant blue skies; indeed these recent years have been tough for me. It has been a lonely road at times and a real struggle financially, but that was my luck, or my lot as God chose, for that season. I was able to accept that fact and I believe God taught me some valuable lessons during that time in preparation for his future plans.
Our family or life situation may not always be as we would wish; people, places and things are in God’s control, not ours. Learning to accept this and fitting ourselves to it, indeed even changing ourselves with His help, brings acceptance, until God brings the next season.
But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26 [NIV]
In 1871 Horatio Spafford mourned the death of his only son, the Great Chicago Fire followed which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer). Then in 1873, he had planned to travel to Europe with his family but he was delayed on business. While crossing the Atlantic the ship carrying his family sank rapidly after a collision and all four of Spafford's daughters died. His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, "Saved alone, What shall I do?" Spafford later travelled to meet his grieving wife, as his ship passed near to where his daughters had died he penned these words: Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul, a truly inspirational hymn.
The Spaffords eventually settled in Jerusalem, there they served the needy, helped the poor, cared for the sick and took in homeless children. Their only cause was to show those living about them the love of Jesus. Their full life story contains yet more sorrow and joy and is truly inspirational.
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul.
