PEEN PRESSURE
Every time I see a I see and hear the United States Senate being opened with prayer on C-Span, I wonder how we can be so confused and confounded as to favor of prayer in one area - a major portion of the Federal government for the lot of us in this case, and forbid it and condemn it in others!
Cervantes, the imminent Spanish writer of old who dealt brilliantly with attacking windmills' took the subject years ago when he said -in exactly what context I do not know :"“Pray to God but ply the hammer".
It amazes me how those old boys could handle English so well, and how they could face up to problems which seem to be so endlessly mind-boggling to us today - a few centuries later in our learning cycles -"circle" may be a more exact word because we seem to b e going around a level oval track as the years go along.
Cervantes seemed to have felt that one is not to pray and to expect magical results, some heavenly slight-of-handiwork which will alters the way things are to make them the way we want them to be. But, he would also remind u prayer does not, in any way preclude or suspend our need for hard work toward achievement of our gaols. Even when it comes to tilting with windmills - which is, you will agree, not too far removed from contending with some off today's politicians, one can pray that such and such a reform may come about but you have to keep digging to get the foundation deep enough to support whatever it is you hope to build.
Often, as a man or woman seeks the help of God prayerfully, they, in turn, feel a keener relationship to the problem a at hand and work harder to make it happen. Diligence in prayer is demanded and, along with a regular routine, one develops the means of making it all come about ...through God's intervening guidance - not with the events - but changes within our individual selves which make us work harder to make dreams become realities.
Keep our arm in shape. Don't be afraid to belly up to the workbench and don't set up a time-clock schedule. Work, and work some more to achieve modest goals. Talk with God , yes, but let's hear that hammer going as well!
The continuing presence of God among us brings it all about.
It is not the action which brings about the final changes. It is the reaction. It is our response to God's urgings which causes us to work toward our goals.
A>L>M> May 27, 2003 [c675wds]
