"Our Lord needs from us neither great deeds nor profound thoughts. Neither intelligence nor talents. He cherishes simplicity."

"Jesus, help me to simplify my life by learning what you want me to be – and becoming that person."

– St Therese of Lisieux, The Little Flower

"Faith is only faith when it's all you're hanging onto." 

 That is what my friend Brenda told me so many years ago.  I wonder if she knows how many times I have revisited those words in the years since?   I have never been a surprise kind of gal, preferring ample time to wrap my head around news – good or bad. I like to know what's coming. I felt I could do anything if I could just understand the purpose for it all.  Or I used to.

These days I tend to think it is a blessing that God does not ask us to understand, because I suspect the big picture is so very big that there is no way we could understand.  We can't begin to see all the ways the threads of our lives intertwine with others'.  And we don't have to. We just have to know that they do, that in God's great economy there is no waste. Nothing is here by accident and none of it happens just because. 

It is easy to embrace that idea when good things are coming our way.  It is harder to remember that only good things come our way, some disguised as bitter pain, but every bit of it necessary and intended for our ultimate good. Days like that call for praise music turned up loud enough to drown out those doubts and catch yourself saying Amen once more. 

So be it. 

We praise anyway. 

Even if it's still raining. 

"But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands

For You are who You are
No matter where I am

And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm."

-Casting Crowns

It's Fence Friday on Flickr.  Taken in our backyard of all places.  I love that.