If there is anything I’ve learned over these sixty-plus years, it is this: trust Jesus. It’s easy, but we tend to make it difficult. We like being in control and calling the shots. Have you ever sat down and really thought about how much power you actually have over anything?
I’ve had to learn this lesson repeatedly through suffering. I realized pretty quickly that I had control over literally nothing.
Pain is an incredible clarifier.
I believe part of the original lie Satan sold to our parents in the Garden of Eden was about control. Don’t trust God. He doesn’t really want what’s best for you. You can be like gods and decide for yourself by taking control. (cf. Gen 3)
That lie still operates at full capacity today. It causes us to distrust God and His infinite love and care for us. We cannot imagine that He wants to spend eternity with us and knows exactly the best way to get us there.
I bought the control lie for decades. What about you?
Sure, I had heard plenty of times in Mass and Scripture that God loved me, but I hadn’t considered what that meant tangibly. Was it only when I was an obedient daughter? It took being a parent and now a grandparent to grasp on a human level, this idea of loving something outside of yourself so much and desiring desperately what’s best for their future, that I began to understand a little of what God feels for us.
Even if they won’t listen to you,
or want your help,
or care what you think is best for them,
or ignore and distance themselves from you.
Because true, authentic love seeks what is best for the other and not for self.
Control is an illusion and a lie. It’s like being caught in quicksand, the more you struggle and try to escape, the quicker you sink.
I learned that I couldn’t control those I loved, nor the choices they freely made.
However, love remains faithful and patiently waits because life has a funny way of teaching us essential lessons in ways we best receive and understand them. God knows this and willingly waits for us to come around and freely invite Him into our lives.
So for me, these painful lessons began to sink in and show me that as I chose to let go bit by bit, and entrust myself to the One who loves me most of all, I found inner peace despite:
Each unexpected event.
Every unplanned curveball.
And each incredibly excellent glimpse of something unexplainable that I simply had no words to describe.
And so once again I am given the opportunity to practice surrender and trust on Monday, as I am wheeled into surgery. I hadn’t planned for this. Three times, my head has been breached to repair something. And now, another inconvenient, unwanted repair job, offering me valuable practice relying on the Lord.
Practice makes perfect they say.
I ask only for your prayers because I know it matters. I will rest in the arms of my Lord through it all. I thank those who have been praying for me and for a successful surgery. Knowing this, I completely yield myself into the arms of Love as I surrender control of every detail and outcome.
I’m letting Jesus take care of everything because He always has.
“The highest and most fruitful form of human freedom is found in accepting, even more than in dominating. We show the greatness of our freedom when we transform reality, but still more when we accept it trustingly as it is given to us day after day.
It is natural and easy to go along with pleasant situations that arise without our choosing them. It becomes a problem, obviously, when things are unpleasant, go against us, or make us suffer. But it is precisely then that, in order to become truly free, we are often called to choose to accept what we did not want, and even what we would not have wanted at any price. There is a paradoxical law of human life here: one cannot become truly free unless one accepts not always being free!
To achieve true interior freedom, we must train ourselves to accept, peacefully and willingly, plenty of things that seem to contradict our freedom. This means consenting to our personal limitations, our weaknesses, our powerlessness, this or that situation that life imposes on us, and so on. We find it difficult to do this because we feel a natural revulsion for situations we cannot control. But the fact is that the situations that really make us grow are precisely those we do not control.”
― Fr. Jacques Philippe, Interior Freedom
Oh, Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything.
Dear Barb,
Such a powerful reflection on our lack of control and the beauty and gift of having a God who controls everything so wonderfully for us. Many times I have chuckled over a situation that God took in another, better direction! Joke’s on me, Lord! You’ve got this. We are so blessed!
Thank you for your continued insights that are such good food for thought!
Know of my prayers for your surgery tomorrow, my beautiful friend! God bless you and keep you! 🙏🕊✝️🫶🤞👍😁😘
barb,
Beautifully said/ your reflection hit me hard without realizing it! Amen to you for making me so much more aware- God’s plan and direction always for the best
Didn’t know you were still undergoing surgery- please know of my prayers for successful surgery snd recovery
Dear Barb, So eloquently and honestly expressed. My prayers continue for your faith & trust in our Lord as you and your medical team prepare for your successful surgery & recovery to happen.
I find myself sometimes feeling taking for granted, the calmness I’ve felt under fear or pressure, wondering where is this coming from? After almost 70years of learning, I too have realized it is from trusting in God! What a wonderful gift he gives us when we believe in Him! He is right by your side Barb…now and everyday! Many blessings my friend. Love,
Linda Stanley
Barb, please know that your friends at the John Paul II Center have been praying for you. By now you have had the surgery, so we will continue prayers for your healing. Thank you, as always, for your words of inspiration. Your life itself is an inspiration. May God bless you abundantly, Jeanette.
Your writing is as beautiful and touching as always.
Thank you for sharing and reminding us to surrender.
Good bless you and your family.
God will take care of you and your surgery and you will heal fast. Love Gisele
I’ve been learning this as well on the journey we call life. When in my deepest and hardest parts I finally give up the control. At this point I’m usually yelling, I give up. I give it to you, take it it’s yours. Within seconds of my last words I can feel my soul lifting and the peace surrounding my whole body. I was told, expecting to have control of your life fully is like grabbing a handful of sand and expecting none to fall through. When in doubt give it back to him. If he brought you to it, he will bring you through it.
Thank you for sharing your beautifully written words with me. I needed this reminder. Praying that surgery will go well and smooth recovery.
Dear Lord, thank you for loving Barb and her family. I know you are compassionate and want to bring her healing. I ask that You would touch Barb with Your healing power, bringing strength and wholeness to her body, mind, and spirit. Please surround her with Your presence and peace, and let her feel Your comforting love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Dear Barb,
Thank you for offering your edifying and beautiful thoughts. You and Deacon Mark are such bright lights to all who are blessed to know you. Thank you for sharing this moment with us. My mom and I will certainly be keeping you in our daily prayers, but we will be interceding especially tomorrow. May the Guardian Angels and the Patron Saints of all involved be powerfully assisting.
Barb I’m literally crying knowing I have no control over what’s been going on in my life, as you know. There’s so much that I want to do to change my circumstances, and the more I try the sadder I get. Thank you for always sharing such valuable reflections…my hard head needs them more than you know. I love you my friend and I’m praying for you as you suffer through another surgery. You’ve got this….or should I say, God’s got this!!! You’re in mighty GOOD hands. May He continue to bless you and protect you!!
Dearest Barb,
I don’t always comment, but I love your reflections and always look forward to them. I’ll be praying for you and your doctors that this next surgery goes seamlessly. Bless you, my friend! {Lord, I give you my will. Please give me yours in return!}
Dearest Barb
Please know you have my continued prayers for whatever surgery you are facing!
God has got you!
I’m praying & asking our Lord Jesus to send His strength, comfort, peace & total healing and also wisdom for your medical team!
Much love dear lady!
Boy did I need to hear/ read this beautiful reflection, Barb! Control is an illusion and a lie….so very true! And yet I need to be reminded over and over. Thank you Wise Woman for such a touching reminder. Many will be praying you thru your surgery tomorrow including me! I know God will take care of everything.
Much love and prayers.
We’ve all been there. Trust is difficult in so many circumstances but as I get older it seems to get easier when it comes to trusting God and loved ones. Praying for you as you confront this bump in the road. I am on your side all the way!
Dear Barb,
Please know I have many fond memories of time spent together when life was jammed pack with kids, sugar and sunshine. During my time in AZ, your friendship was one of the most significant take aways that I will always cherish. Thank you for bringing warmth and wisdom to the world. We will continue to hold you & yours steadfast in our prayers. Go Easy Girlfriend.
God Bless you Barb! Thinking of you today! I love what you wrote and the picture of our Good Shepherd. Blessings and healing to you! Love and hugs.
A very thought provoking read here Barb. I just returned from a very similar pilgrimage that you recently took to Poland – the country of Divine Mercy origin with St. JPII, St. Faustina and St. Maximillian Kolbe. We absolutely need to Trust In Jesus and that can be way easier said than done! It is amazing how God can unfold his plans for us as you stated “life has a funny way of teaching us essential lessons in ways we best receive and understand them.” Truth! Thank you for sharing your wisdom here and know that I, as well as many others, are praying hard for you and through another successful surgery. “Jesus take the wheel.” May God continue to bless you. Jesus, I Trust In You! XO
Dearest Barb,
You are in our hearts and prayers through this most difficult challenge and in surgery today as I write this. Thank you for being a channel of grace for us as your words speak truth and love and always total surrender to the Will of the Father in Heaven and trust in His Son.
Peace and love and all Good!
Dear Barb,
We’re holding you and your surgeon/team in prayer today and hope that the surgery goes/went well and you’re already on the road to recovery! God is holding you in his palm and loves you more than you know. Trust and surrender and all will be well soon.
Many blessings and much love!
Dear Barb, Once again you are on the pathway of healing. Peace, blessings, and prayers for your complete recovery.
Thank you for being so vulnerable in your sharing, your words and thoughts open so many hearts.
The Love of the Lord be your shelter and strength.
Dear Barb, You are such an inspiration in all you have faced with and how you have relied totally on God yo get you through it. Praying for your healing and that you can close this chapter in your life and continue the good works you do for the Live of Jesus.
You are one string and beautiful lady. Always thinking of you and thanks for sharing your journey. Holding you in prayer and praying for the best outcome 🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼