Shaped by our "Yes" and "No" Every decision we make - large and small - is in the end, a "yes" or a "no." There are in fact so many such decisions every hour that we become unaware of many of them. Yet the things we say "yes" to, and the things we say "no" to, are the most granular forks in the road which shape our identity, life and destiny. This is true both of our inner journey and our outer journey. For this reason we are wise to submit our decision making process to the Lord...

Prayer for Discernment "Oh God, by whom we are guided in judgment, and who raises up for us light in the darkness: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us to do; that your spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and in your straight path we may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. Book of Common Prayer, 1549

Origins of the above poster date to Charlotte Reihlen (1805-1868), cofounder of the House of Deaconesses, Stuttgart, Germany. Click on the image to enlarge. For German text version, please click here. The concept for the poster comes from the Bible as expressed in a once-famous book written from his prison cell by John Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress. Also penned during this season was this hymn:

Pilgrim

 

He who would valiant be,    'gainst all disaster, let him in constancy    follow the Master. There's no discouragement shall make him once relent his first avowed intent    to be a pilgrim.

Whoso beset him around    with dismal stories, do but themselves confound -    his strength the more is. No foes shall stay his might, though he with giants fight, he will make good his right    to be a pilgrim.

Since, Lord, thou doest defend    us with Thy Spirit; we know we at the end    shall life inherit. Then, fancies, flee away! I'll fear not what men say, I'll labour night and day    to be a pilgrim. John Bunyan (1628-88)