When Words Grab You

My Grandma Ruth’s funeral was yesterday. Albiet the huge swirl of mixing emotions, I mostly felt out of my body. No matter how long a loved one is sick or in pain, death is always a shock. Contrasting with that, her lovely presence was definitely felt and filled the room and our hearts. I especially was touched when my sister read one of my Grandma’s favorite prayers:

Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

The words seemed to jump right into my heart. Such simple messages, yet so powerful and filled with divine truth. I especially was strick with the latter part: I need to teach myself to console, understand, and love others more. I often can get caught up in selfishness and stress about wanting to be be consoled, understood, and loved. I think those things will be easier to feel if it is the other way around.

Grandma is still here teaching me. I don’t ever want to stop learning and becoming a better person.

 

Note: Even though this is a Biblical prayer, my blog is open to all walks of faith and spiritual beings. I think the words that come from this prayer transcend all creeds.