The Merton Prayer

A thought for myself, today.

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 I am following your will does not mean 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 that 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 I will 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 perils alone.

~ Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude, Part 2, Chapter 2

Avoid, Appreciate, or Participate

My son, Koke, has a new hobby...public begging.

Okay, he's not really begging...he's panhandling. Koke loves to take his guitar to Uptown Normal, find a spot on the circle, lay out a hat, and just jam. He's done it a few times now and has brought home some good money.

I have noticed that there are three basic reactions when people see Koke doing his thing.

For some their reaction is Avoidance: Some people just don't know what to make of it. Normal is still a pretty small town and the sight of this eleven year old busking for change is an odd sight. Is this a joke? Is this kid homeless? So, overwhelmed by the oddity of it, they go out of their way to just avoid it altogether.

For the majority, their reaction is Appreciation: they recognize the novelty. "isn't that kid cute?" Or they admire the courage it takes to put yourself out there like this. Or they do actually stop and listen long enough to realize that the kid can really play. They typically smile as they pass by and most of them drop some change into the hat.

For some, though, the reaction is Participation. Every once in a while, a family or a group of friends will stop, make a request, ask Koke where his parents are, etc. These are the ones who most thoroughly enjoy the experience. I have watched from across the circle as Koke took requests, flirted with a pack of sorority girls, and drew in some couples on a group date. These are the ones who have a story to tell..."remember the kid ..."

Anytime we experience something new we have a choice of how to respond. If we avoid it, we stay safe from the unknown. If we appreciate it, we walk away with a small smile. But when we participate in it, we most fully engage in all that it has to offer.

Something new will happen to you today...how will you respond?


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