Today’s first reading is from Sirach 2:1 – 11. This is a book from the Old Testament and is one of those which is not included in non-Catholic bibles, something which better minds than mine will have to explain. It is about having trust in God.

Here are a few lines from the reading:

Wait on God, with patience, cling to him, forsake him not;
thus will you be wise in all your ways.
Accept whatever befalls you,
when sorrowful, be steadfast,
and in crushing misfortune be patient;
For in fire gold and silver are tested,
and worthy people in the crucible of humiliation.
Trust God and God will help you;
trust in him, and he will direct your way;
keep his fear and grow old therein.

As I wrote a few posts ago, I have finally reached a point where I trust God for I know God will help me. He has in the past and He will again.

I’ve been thinking a lot of the past lately. I know we can’t go back and change the past, we can only move forward, which I have. What I think about though is how God knew my weaknesses, He knew I am not a very strong person and because of that he never let me get to a point that was so low, I couldn’t get out of it. I think of the times when I drank. I was always able to stop, always before it became a real problem. When we read the definition of alcoholism,

al·co·hol·ism

noun Pathology .

a chronic disorder characterized by dependence on alcohol, repeated excessive use of alcoholic beverages, the development of withdrawal symptoms on reducing or ceasing intake, morbidity that may include cirrhosis of the liver, and decreased ability to function socially and vocationally.

I never got to the point where I fit the definition. I believe this was God’s doing. He knew where my limits were and never let me go beyond the point where I couldn’t come back. Now I suppose I should be disappointed that God figured I wasn’t all that strong, but I’m glad He knows better than I.

We don’t know what God has planned for us, I certainly don’t know what he has planned for me, but I do know He is there for me and I can trust in Him. He is lighting my path, now I just need to stay on it.

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