I had a thought today, and wonder if this has been discussed at some point here on this site (http://monasticponderings.blogspot.com/2012/05/god-does-not-test-us.html)? It has to do with the concept of God and testing.

I like the quote from Wilkins that suggests we can help miracles happen if we turn our energy toward our dreams instead of putting them into fear. http://monasticponderings.blogspot.com/2012/05/giving-energy-to-our-dreams.html. I wonder how many miracles I have missed because I was too afraid, too timid, to unwilling to walk through the shroud of doubt and into a bold faith. Not a faith that says, ”everything will turn out all right” but a faith that says, ”I can get through this, because I am not alone.” A faith that says, ”It is okay for things not to be right, life does not consists of things going my way.” or ”Darkness is not bad unless I sit down and stay.”

I have been thinking about prayer, God, and times when prayer goes unanswered. And I reflected back on my own life…http://monasticponderings.blogspot.com/2012/05/when-prayers-fall-on-deaf-ears.html

Sat with a friend yesterday who was in deep anguish. Studies, another move, homesickness, feeling the pain of divorce, all converged to bring such pain into her heart and soul. As we talked, I realized there was nothing I could say that would elevate her anguish even a little. The mystery of helplessness. And yet, we believe that when all is in God, nothing is lost.

http://monasticponderings.blogspot.com/2012/05/last-evenings-full-moon-i-find-it.html

New thoughts on shaking the dust from my sandals and vestiges of anger…
http://monasticponderings.blogspot.com/2012/05/shaking-dust-from-my-sandals.html

Another thought on psalm 23, the Good Shepherd psalm. http://monasticponderings.blogspot.com/2012/04/it-was-thought-from-yesterdays-sermon.html