It is in our acceptance of what is given that God gives Himself.

But the question to precede all others, which finally determines the course of our lives is What do I really want? Was it to love what God commands, in the words of the collect, and to desire what He promises? Did I want what I wanted, or did I want what He wanted, no matter what it might cost?

It is always possible to be thankful for what is given rather than to complain about what is not given. One or the other becomes a habit of life.

Here lies the tremendous mystery - that God should be all-powerful, yet refuse to coerce. He summons us to cooperation. We are honored in being given the opportunity to participate in his good deeds. Remember how He asked for help in performing his miracles: Fill the water pots, stretch out your hand, distribute the loaves.

We are not asked to SEE," said Amy. "Why need we when we KNOW?" We know--not the answer to the inevitable Why, but the incontestable fact that it is for the best. "It is an irreparable loss, but is it faith at all if it is 'hard to trust' when things are entirely bewildering?

Worry is the antithesis of trust. You simply cannot do both. They are mutually exclusive.

Where reasons are given, we don't need faith. Where only darkness surrounds us, we have no means for seeing except by faith.