O LORD, hear my prayer,
And let my cry come to you.
Hide not your face from me
in the day of my distress.
Incline your ear to me;
in the day when I call, answer me speedily.
How many times do we echo David’s words of this psalm and ask God for speedy answers and to relieve our stress? I have reflected before on our unanswered prayers and our pleas for help. It is our nature, or at least mine, to seek God when we are in distress. To find signs and hear answers that will help us choose the right path and decisions. Lent always feels like the time to seek God more fully beyond my wants and to discern what it is that God wants of me.
As I have said so many times, my mantra is that my life is God’s gift to me, and what I do with it is my gift to God. The stumbling block to making that a GREAT gift is me! I frequently get in my own way of finding that right path and, sometimes, even when I find it, of pursuing it with all my being. My feet of clay certainly keep me from staying on it. While I know that all the glory for any accomplishment goes to God for the abilities and courage He has given me, I still hesitate, allowing doubt to cloud my decisions and actions.
This Lent, my husband and I decided to listen to daily prayers together and use Hallow to guide our Lenten journey. A recurring prayer for that journey is a simple one from Mother Olga (founder of the Daughters of Mary of Nazareth): Empty me, Fill me, Use me.
The intent is to be emptied of the worldly pulls – the self-absorption, greed, envy, judgment, and doubts (the list could go on) – that distract us from the joys and privileges of being a child of God. The pulls that fill us up yet leave us empty. So, we pray that these be emptied from us and that we be filled with the goodness from God – filled with love, caring, compassion, the Holy Spirit – to be so full with these that there is no space for the ugliness. Yet to be filled is not the end of the story for us – we ask that God use us. That God makes us an instrument, following His will and making a positive difference in the world and the lives around us. This is an opportunity to fulfill our most basic reason for being. To leave behind the stuff that the world says we need to be complete and find the real essence of living, of completeness, of fulfillment. It’s easy to write these words; it’s a challenge to truly live. So, in the style of David, I offer this prayer:
O LORD, hear my prayer,
And let my cry come to you.
EMPTY me of all the worldly distractions
and foundation of my distress.
FILL me with all that is holy and good;
in the day when I call, USE me speedily.
Allow my life to be the gift that You deserve.
I guess this says it best:
Use Me Lord Don Besig and Nancy Price
Nancy Shirley
I returned to Creighton in December 2003 having previously taught at Creighton from 1980-1989 and involved in many campus activities including ILAC and CEC House. Since returning, assumed Faculty and Administrative roles on both Omaha and Phoenix campus prior to retirement August 2022. Served as the Nursing Director for ILAC from 2013 – 2021 and as a reservist in the Army Nurse Corps for 23 years.
I am a grateful child of God, wife, mother, nana, and retired nursing professor. My husband and I met at church and have walked this extraordinary journey together experiencing CEC in 2004 and growing more committed to our beliefs. In addition to my husband, I am blessed with a wonderful daughter and son, who in turn are blessed with wonderful partners. My son’s four children bring us all endless joy and delight. My daughter’s daughter (our youngest grandchild in Phoenix) has been a true gift beyond description. In early 2023, I became a Great-grandma!! I am now retired faculty at Creighton having taught nursing here from 1980-1989 and returned “home” in 2003 to teach nursing at all levels and to administer the undergraduate program on both campuses until 2022. My mantra has been My life is God’s gift to me; what I do with my life is my gift to God!!
Now in retirement, I appreciate more and more all the ways that I find God in my life especially through my family and garden and through music and song. I find listening to Christian music daily in the car keeps the right message in my head. It is, indeed, a blessing to be part of this ministry. Writing reflections is an opportunity to ponder the readings deeply in my heart and to share those musings and some music that further touches my soul. I am a recipient of God’s grace with each one I write.
