Sunday, January 2, 2011

Prayer of St Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy 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.

For many years I have carried this quote on my person, frequently taking it out to meditate on the words and their meaning before going on to ask myself

'Am I sowing the seeds of love, pardon, faith, hope, light and joy?' If not, why not?

Please remember also my dear  friend Brenda who is mourning the loss of her beloved husband James who passed away suddenly this past week.
May you rest in Eternal Peace James Coffee.

20 comments:

Kaz said...

Chez,will keep Brenda in my prayers with love and Hugs..

Kaz.xo

Sean said...

I love that quote. What a great idea to carry it with you. We have Brenda in our prayers...

Unknown said...

What a beautiful quote Cheryl! Certainly one that if applied can make us more acceptable and better equipped for the hurdles of life and prepared to meet our Maker!
Will have to copy this and keep it close by to remind myself of how I should be more intuned too! Thanks for sharing this with us.
You share often great finds that are so you and examples of a beautiful and knowledgeable personality!
Don't always catch your every post but enjoy each one I do and love how you share your thoughts, memories and your family! A Gift!
Prayers for your friend, Brenda and the new and different life that she has to face now, sorry for her loss.
Loving thoughts and HUGS for you!xo

AngelStar said...

thank you Chez, for the inspiration, i believe you have a beautiful soul

BreastCancerSisterhood.com said...

Chez,
Thank you my darling friend for your love and prayers. Yes, it will be a very different life, and I can use all the prayers I can get.

Much love to you & your readers,
Brenda

Julie Goodale said...

Thank you for posting this, Chez. It's beauty is in it's simplicity - bring good things to the world.

And I'm so sorry to hear of Brenda's loss.

Cheryl said...

Kaz, know you are all these things. Thanks for remembering Brenda. Glad we are together to share the journey xo

Cheryl said...

Sean, my heartfelt thanks. Can't wait until I get this new computer programme on her so that I can, once again, resume our communications. Although I know you are always there for me, along with Kim, I miss your presence. I have always gained strength from your words of wisdom and inspiration.
Thank you also for remembering Brenda xo

Cheryl said...

Sunflower let me look in my cupboard to see if I have a copy. I may have as it has always been one of my favourites. Thank you so much for visiting when you are able. You know you are a very important part of my life. We are very blessed to have formed such deep and enduring friendships on this journey.
Love you my friend xo

Cheryl said...

Angel-Star I am working on that. Thank you so much for your observation. Love and gratitude xo

Sean said...

Thank you Cheryl, and know that the feeling is mutual. Your strength and wisdom have been a great inspiration to me, and I too miss our communication. Funny, Kim just mentioned on the weekend "If I won the lottery this weekend...let's go down and visit Cheryl"...lol...sounds like a great idea to me! Love you dear friend.

Kaz said...

Hey Sean and Kim can i come too?? someday i plan on that trip i hope.Chez has a heart of gold that i treasure so much..Chez if i win lottery will bring a plane of your friends that love you lots..xoxo Kaz

Cheryl said...

To meet, to know, to love and then to part is the sad tale of the human heart Brenda.
I feel that prayer is the only way I know of to support you at this time.
My beautiful friends will, no doubt, continue to pray for you and the repose of James' soul.
Love you Brenda

Cheryl said...

Julie I really do love to take the opportunity to keep things simple.
Looking forward to more of your posts in 2011.

nancyspoint said...

Chez, You know you have been wondering about your purpose and questioning what you can still do - I think this is one important piece of it all right here - being a friend to Brenda and so many others through your writing and prayers. I feel lucky to count myself as one of your friends also. Thanks for this lovely post.

Sean said...

Yes, absolutely Kaz...something to shoot for! A chance for us all to give back to a beautiful spirit.

People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.
-- Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Kaz said...

Yes Sean,the quote fits Chez so well,gorgeous gorgeous lady..

Cheryl said...

Nancy, I do apologise. I have just realised that I have not yet responded to your comment. I definitely class you as a friend, particularly since my definition of 'friend' has changed since our retirement. I no longer find myself able to drive to the city to spend time with friends and my computer has become my lifeline.
I appreciate your comment and would like to think that I am using one of my 'gifts' in doing what I do as I believe it is in 'giving' that we 'receive' and I feel I have so little to give.
Looking forward to more of your posts in 2011

Cheryl said...

Sean, I love that quote from Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. I believe it to be true. How wonderful it would be if we could meet in this life time!!!!!

Cheryl said...

Kaz, we know anything is possible. Don't we? Maybe we could suggest to Oprah a trip to this wonderful country for you all would be a great investment.
Thinking of you my special friend xo