Whether or not you are in emergency services, you have had to cope with a foggy road or blinding rain while trying to find an address. Whether it's visiting a friend in the country or trying to respond to an emergency down a county road, the feeling that you may be lost makes can be a very eerie feeling.
On a recent structure fire call, a storm had passed through, dropping the temperatures significantly. We were responding during the heaviest winds and rain of this particular thunderstorm. Upon arrival, a fog settled in, dampening efforts yet again, and forcing a smoke blanket from the house fire to drop on the personnel all over the fire scene.
Today, my fire department responded to what we call a "well intent" call. Basically, someone sees or smells smoke but cannot put their finger on its source. In those occasions, we get called to find the source. Again, when you are responding to an unknown location, it can be an eerie feeling not knowing what type of fire or situation lies ahead.
Those scenarios are the back drop for a prayer I had read to me this week by a good friend. If you feel at times like you have no idea where you are going in life, take joy in knowing that you are not alone in this struggle. The words below may shed some light.
My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think that I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you
does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this,
You will lead me by the right road.
Though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always
though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me.
And you will never leave me to face my struggles alone.
– Thomas Merton
No comments:
Post a Comment