Check-in Briefly describe who you are for the benefit of the new person who has joined our group.

When Life is Messy

It is easy to pray when the sun shines

And we are grateful for another glorious day of being.

It is hard to pray when wind and rain and thunder

Plague our every step and spoil our every plan.

It is easy to be virtuous when life goes well

And our existence is a journey from bliss to beauty and

back.

It is hard to be virtuous when life assaults us

And our very being is a pilgrimage from bad to worse to

worst.

It is easy to be cheerful when health bursts in us

So that we can feel the very pulse of life.

It is hard to be happy when pain and fatigue beset us

And we wonder if we can go on.

It is easy to do good when our goodness is rewarded

And we feel the power of pride in accomplishment.

It is hard to do good when we suffer for our efforts

And are troubled because we have been misunderstood.

It is easy to feel religious impulses well up inside us

When inspiration lives at our elbow and walks on our path.

It is hard to feel religious when we are tired with work to

be done.

And discouragement seems to mark our every move.

O God of order and neatness, we give thanks for all that is

good.

We are grateful for manifold blessings bestowed upon us.

O God of chaos and disorder, be with us also when life is

messy.

Bless our coming in and our going out from this day forth.

by Richard S. Gilbert

In the Holy Quiet of This Hour, 1995

Make a brief statement about how we feel about tonight’s discussion. (i.e. likes and wishes)

Abraham Maslow

Go in peace.