“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
— Psalm 51:11
Amongst all the “word find” and paisley mandala book I am surrounded by, I now keep four very important (to me) books from my home, here with me at Mary Manning Walsh Nursing Home.
They are:
- Forward Day by Day
- Daily Reflections
(by AA members for AA members) - Finding Time for Serenity: Every Woman’s Book of Days
by Barbara Cawthorne Crafton
And last, but absolutely not least, my Ascension prayer book! This is now marked where it has always been marked: pages 832 and 833…
- 58 – a prayer “For Guidance”
- 61 – “A Prayer of Self-Dedication”
- 62 – “A Prayer attributed to St. Francis”
It has taken me nearly two years to get these all together at my bedside in the nursing home — but already I feel calmer and more settled to be in my old routine. It is so easy — too easy! — to step away from God. Without being even aware of it, I was lost.
Thank God that the wonderful people in my life saved me! Indeed, I am living proof that God takes care of those who cannot take care of themselves! Thanks to wonderful friends, I am in a safe place and well-taken care of.
I cannot give any logical reason for my belief in God — I can only affirm that my life is better because of that belief. I have had many great gifts — friends, sobriety, education, travel — because of it.
“Cast me not away from your presence and take not your Holy Spirit from me!
— Psalm 51:12
