I appear optimistic and confident in most things, but it’s mostly a facade. Honestly, I’m just as scared and terrified and overwhelmed as the next person – not just with this seminary stuff – but in most things in life.

This prayer is one I turn to frequently when life’s road is all jumbled up and messy (nearly every day). I don’t always know what I’m doing with my life; sometimes minute-by-minute I’m floundering. But I keep pressing on toward the goal, hoping I’m heading in the right direction.

From Thoughts in Solitude — Thomas Merton

“My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”

much love. sheth.