Acceptance

Praying for acceptance is probably the hardest thing to do. 

That's because it is inherent in human nature to resist. Life gives an obstacle and one resists by fighting back or evading or obliterating whatever is in front.

In a way, this is good because it makes us better persons. Resisting makes us stronger, more resilient. When we dream of a better life for ourselves and our families and we strive our best to get that dream, we are resisting. When we persevere despite the many adverse conditions thrown at us, we are resisting. When we love the unlovable and care for those who don't care us back, we also resist.

But resisting is only good to a certain point. Unfortunately, there are many instances in life which simply blow us away, renders us weak and struggling for some sense of cosmic understanding. A loved one is diagnosed with cancer or suffers a stroke and is debilitated for life. A tragedy occurs and takes away the house, the dog, your wife and kids. A baby is diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. And that baby dies after just over three months. 

In all these scenarios, death, or loss, plays his part, ever mysterious and foreboding.  And the more we resist, the more we choose not to accept him, to welcome him like an old friend, the more we hurt ourselves in the process. 

The cancer will go away, it must go away. He'll be fully recovered by then, you wait and see. They're missing; they're not dead. They'll come back. Why did you have to take her away?

It is at this time that we need to pray for acceptance and strength. But it's oh-so hard to kneel down and say, "Lord, please grant me the grace to accept this."

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. - The Serenity Prayer