Here I Am, Lord; I Come to Do Your Will!

This past week, on the wonderful solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, the refrain of the day’s responsorial psalm (Ps. 40) spoke powerfully to me. 

​Maybe Someone wanted to make sure I got the message😊…I had the opportunity to hear it twice due to my participation in the evening Mass at the parish where we teach religion, in conjunction with a special gathering there.

Within going into detail, I’ve faced some difficulties and uncertainties in the past several months.
 
The above-mentioned psalm really taught me a lesson, this week, about how I should approach challenging situations which are out of my control. 

I am learning (I hope), thanks to the inspiration from this psalm, to face these frustrations, not by trying to get my way or wondering why things aren’t happening as I think they should, but by repeating the prayer: “Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.” 
 
It is becoming clearer to me that, even if things don’t fall into place as I’d like, if I keep turning to the Lord with trust and resignation, that is what matters.  He will take care of the rest.  He knows best, and is able to make “all things work together for good.”
 
In my American tendency toward self-reliance, it is easy for me to fall into the trap of wanting to figure out and handle things myself.  Of course, I pray about them, but sometimes I get the attitude that I know what is best and, if I fight hard enough, maybe it will happen. 
 
Reflecting on this verse, though, in company with Our Lady, I have been directed in a new and more freeing direction. 
 
Making the prayer: “Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.” in moments of frustration or difficulty is comforting, and I hope it can become a fruitful habit for me in the weeks, months, and years to come.

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