Thursday, September 02, 2021

Spiritual Journey Thursday: Not All Virtues are Cheerful

This month's host, Karen, has invited us to reflect on virtues. She sent us a list of them and asked us to choose from the list or write about another virtue. 

 

Last week my church group talked about the second of the Beatitudes, "Blessed are those who mourn." It was encouraging because I have been mourning lately for many reasons. It doesn't feel blessed to mourn. It feels cursed sometimes. Mourning isn't on the list of virtues, but Empathy is. Feeling the pain of others is not a comfortable experience, but it is a virtuous one. Sincerity is also on the list, as are Authenticity and Honesty. In times of mourning, we should aim for joy, but not for fake cheeriness. 

 

When I read the book of Psalms, I see a true presentation of emotions that are not all positive. It's OK to express those emotions to God. In Psalm 69, David wrote: 

 "Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me. I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God. More in number than the hairs of my head are those who hate me without cause; mighty are those who would destroy me, those who attack me with lies. ... But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. Deliver me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters. Let not the flood sweep over me, or the deep swallow me up, or the pit close its mouth over me. Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good, according to your abundant mercy, turn to me. Hide not your face from your servant; for I am in distress; make haste to answer me." 

(And that's all before he gets to the imprecatory part, where he's asking God to make life difficult for the people who have wronged him. Yep, that's in the Bible too. Again, he doesn't have a problem telling God what he's really feeling.) 

 

Here's to the virtues that hold on when times are tough. Here's to Patience and Tenacity and Fortitude. Here's to keeping on asking God for help, continuing to trust. Here's to climbing, muddy and exhausted, out of the mire, sometime really really soon. 

5 comments:

Karen Eastlund said...

Amen, Ruth. Amen. Blessings to you and yours...

Margaret Simon said...

Ruth, I know you have had more than your fair share of things to grieve. I think it is important in grief to look for the virtues that are there. It's all about being present to this day and God's abundant and abiding love.

Carol Varsalona said...

Ruth, out of the mire you rise, asking, seeking, continuing your prayers because tenacity and faith keep you on the path. I like the virtues you are pursuing. Empathy is needed in times of trouble. Keeping your thoughts sincere, authentic, and honest lets the Lord hear you. Keep aiming for joy. There are so many praying alongside you. We cannot feel your pain but we can join you united to make a difference during mourning time Stay strong. You amaze me.

Denise Krebs said...

Ruth, what a beautiful psalm you have chosen to show the honesty we can have when talking to God. I loved these lines: "Let not the flood sweep over me, or the deep swallow me up, or the pit close its mouth over me." And your conclusion: "Here's to climbing, muddy and exhausted, out of the mire, sometime really really soon." Yes, indeed! Peace to you, sister, in this difficult time of mourning.

Fran Haley said...

Ruth, such truth in this line: "It doesn't feel blessed to mourn. It feels cursed sometimes." Yet mourning is virtuous, as you point out so well. As I wrote around the theme this month I thought about how a facet of virtue is acting on behalf of others. As God does for us, even as we flounder in the mire (David so understood). Perhaps He's nearest then. Psalm 34:18: "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." Your words are full of reassurance, a buoy in the bog. Many thanks and blessings to you.