CONFIDENCE

 

 

JOURNEY OF MY LIFE

 

Robert Trabold

 

Cutting onshore winds from ocean chill me to the bone

drive me to walk along harbor’s side.

Winter trees there and land calm sharp gusts

offer me shelter.

Bright sun – blue calm water –low tide

invite me to walk along shore.

Curving shore line – brown sand – white bleached sand

sea gulls looking for food in newly freed earth

rocks – old stone walls – bricks uncovered in low tide

leafless bushes – islands in the distance – all populate my walking.

A few humans like me are daydreaming – taking it all in.

 

Low tide changed contours of shore

things once hidden, now reappear.

Is not journey of my life like the zigzagging shore line?

So many events – currents – movements

some painful – others smiling!

My life – a big mystery like rising and falling of the tides

tides open up surprises – then cover them up.

 

Silence permeates ebb and flow of water

shore is silent.

Silence covers it all – embraces all.

I feel it

silence of my Beloved – silence of God.

In ebb and flow of the sea

in ebb and flow of my life

He stands next to me – will not let go. I am not alone.

Mystery of my life – mystery of the sea

mystery of my Beloved

He has a guiding hand – invisible hand – warm and firm.

Hand of God!

 

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CONFIDENCE IN GOD

 

Robert Trabold

 

 

            In the summertime, we might have more time to reflect on our life and where it is going. Our schedules may slow down and we can think of our prayer life of contemplation and where it is leading us. In our meditation, we have our discipline of prayer and attempt to touch God’s presence by repeating the mantra and watching our breathing in and out. Of course, there are always distractions, worries about our life and its many facets and the constant tumult of the world and its wars. But we put those thoughts behind us and again return to our mantra and breathing. This constant putting aside the many distractions, worries and cares that come into our prayer is a sign that God is more important in our life than the many concerns we have about the present and the future. For twice a day for twenty minutes each time, we set our sights on the Lord because He is the primary object of our life and guides us. We have confidence that the rest of life with its cares and worries is not important as the Divine.

 

 

            This putting behind us and away the worries and concerns of our daily living and those of the world reminds us of the teaching of Jesus. In the gospel of St. Matthew, the Lord tells us to put aside our constant worries about having enough to eat and drink and clothes for our bodies. He mentions that life is more than these material concerns.  These worries are basically about survival and Jesus in his teaching tells us that life is more than survival. Rather we have to concentrate on the Kingdom of God and its justice and the Lord will provide for the rest. This is quite a challenge for us because we are immersed in the world, can be sucked into its dynamic of desire for material things and security, etc. and be overwhelmed with the injustices and wars around us. It will take a life time for us to put aside these concerns and fix our sights on the Kingdom of God and grow in such confidence that Jesus proposes to us.

 

            Our contemplative prayer where we put aside these concerns of our material life and the world requires a trust. We have to grow in the belief that God is there for us and will never let us out of his sight. In the gospel, Jesus tells us to look how his Father takes care of the lilies of the fields, the grass and birds.   If this is so, He will extend to us the same care. Jesus exhorts us not to worry about tomorrow since it will take care of itself. This is one of the challenges that we face over the years; we are to be faithful to our daily meditation where the focus is on the Lord. Our relationship with Him will grow. Our love will deepen and so to the confidence of His care which Jesus promises us. This is an important horizon of our life and if we are persistent in growing in this, a peace will come within us. We will not be torn in every direction but keep our sights on Jesus and His promise who then will guide the boat of our life to a safe landing.

 

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