no matter where your faith lies...

i know all people who read this are not christian. some are atheist. some are agnostic. some are catholic. some don't believe anything, and some don't know what to believe. i don't discuss my religion a lot, only briefly, when i'm inspired. i do believe, though, that God does a lot for me. without Him, His presence, influence, His hands staying mine, at times, and His introduction of certain people into my life are the things that keep me sane.

anyway, i was getting on the elevator the other day, and when i stepped on, i found this tiny, laminated card laying face up on the floor. on the reverse side, someone had written, "God loves you!" at first, i was like, "uh oh, someone lost this!" then, after reading it, i think it might have just been passed on. and i'd like to think it was meant to come to me. this is the prayer that was on it:

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St. Theresa's Prayer
May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedon to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of you.
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i don't know where the prayer came from, because i haven't researched it at all. and, i know a lot of people think that having faith and believing in a Higher being or presence is a way to blame someone else for all our problems or cope with the fact that there might not be anything in the hereafter. well, you know what? God works for me, and i'm ok with that. i've never forced my beliefs on anyone, nor will i ever. i hate all that cliche stuff that people make into bumper stickers and church signs - "i'm not perfect, just forgiven". unfortunately, some of it is true.

i'm not perfect. i'll never be perfect. i curse, i sin, i speed, i break the law, i get angry, i fuss, i bitch, i whine, i'm lazy, i eat too much, i don't go to church on a regular basis. but i'm me. and i know God knows i'm me. He made me. He knew what i would be. He knows my destiny. He knows where i'm going. and He surely knows where i've been.

so, to whomever left that card on the elevator, i know you'll never read this, but thank you, regardless. i hope one day, i'll get to a point in my life where i can leave it for someone else to find, at a time when they need it.

and to those of you whose patience i test, thank you for never failing me. thank you for being my friend. thank you for listening. thank you for caring. thank you for hugs. and thank you for keeping your distance, when necessary.

to my peeps:
i pour out this sweet tea in your honor. &=)