September invites me to pause, savor, and reflect on the ebb and flow of this past season. The joy of family and families gathering for celebrations. The tender moments of reconnection. The warm (perhaps too warm some days) sunshine on the back yard deck. My roses outdoing themselves in blossoms this year.
But I reread my journal, spotted with tears and anger and sadness experienced in the darker moments of life. War. Suffering. Illness. Separations.
I am slowly learning that life is more and/both than either/or. Ebb and Flow.
Good ol’ Henri Nouwen says it best in this prayer:
“Dear Lord,
Today I thought of the words of Vincent van Gogh: “It is true there is an ebb and flow, but the sea remains the sea.” You are the sea. Although I experience many ups and downs in my emotions and often feel great shifts and changes in my inner life, you remain the same. Your sameness is not the sameness of a rock, but the sameness of a faithful lover. Out of your love I came to life, by your love I am sustained, and to your love I am always called back. There are days of sadness and days of joy; there are feelings of guilt and feelings of gratitude; there are moments of failure and moments of success; but all of them are embraced by your unwavering love. . . . O Lord, sea of love and goodness, let me not fear too much the storms and winds of my daily life, and let me know there is ebb and flow but the sea remains the sea.”
Thank you, Sea of Life, for sustaining me and embracing me with your love.
How does this prayer speak to you?
Pray with your heart and surrender completely to the Lord. This is the only way to reach him.
Thanks for the article.
agreed!
‘Although I experience many ups and downs in my emotions and often feel great shifts and changes in my inner life, you remain the same.’
Amen. This has been my story, my song on recent years. Nouwen has put profound words to our deepest realities. Thanks for sharing this prayer with us, Jean.
it is such a good reminder as we bounce through life!
Nouwen’s words never cease to touch my spirit! Thank you, Jean for sharing another selection of his insights, Jean. Indeed, God is my sea. It is in his depths I find peace and calm when turbulence reigns on the surface–in the circumstances of life. I’m SO thankful for his presence and provision. It’s my heart’s desire to dive deep into him!
Touched me too! such a good image and reminder.
This prayer spoke volumes to me, Jean. I may be swept along by the ebb and flow of the days, weeks and months, but I need to hang onto the reality that my God is the sea. He is ever in control and there to comfort and give peace during the storms.
Blessings!
spoke to me too and reminded me who to hold onto as we get bounced in life.