Accepting My Lot

“Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in toilsome labor, under the sun during the few days of life God has given him – for this is his lot.  Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work – this is a gift of God.”

Ecclesiastes 5:18-19

 Over the last few months, God has been bringing different people into my life to give me my word of wisdom for today – accept.

People have been teaching me the importance of trying to accept life the way it is.  They haven’t been telling me not to have ambition or to try to do and get and be more, but if none of my striving accomplishes anything, be happy with what I’ve got.  Grasping that concept has been really hard, but I think I’m getting it.  I have realized that every time I look at a situation in my life and just try to accept it – try to realize that I cannot change anything – I gain some measure of peace.

 “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. . . . to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”

Isaiah 61:1 & 3

I’ve often heard people talk about “letting go” of anger & resentment.  I don’t experience anger as an object packed in a small box that I’m carrying in my hands and can set down easily.  I’ve experienced anger more oppressive than that.  It’s like trudging along wearing a heavy overcoat in a storm.  I would like to take off the extra weight (made heavier by snow, sleet & rain), but I can’t.  The more I can accept, the more peace I have; and that’s like coming indoors & being able to take off the overcoat.

Acceptance helps me exchange the spirit of despair for a garment of praise, and I thank God for that.