Musings of a Catholic Convert

Maybe I’m using the term incorrectly, but have you ever read that someone resigned himself to some belief or action?  Let me look this up.

v.   re·signed, re·sign·ing, re·signs

v.   tr.

1. To submit (oneself) passively; accept as inevitable: I resigned myself to a long wait in line.
2. To give up (a position, for example), especially by formal notification.
3. To relinquish (a privilege, right, or claim).

I’ve come to several of these self submittal acceptances this week.  Actually, I’ve been working on accepting them for some time, but have been stubborn about being final about them.  I’m a long way from total surrender, playing the role of stubborn mule extremely well, but I am sure of what I must do.  It, like everything else, is an act of faith and trust in God, and an abandonment of self-will.  My desires, aspirations, dreams, goals, plans, and any other synonyms must be laid at the foot of the cross and abandoned there.  It is not for me to demand of God that things work out a particular way, or that people behave a certain way toward me, or even that I get another breath.  All is in God’s hands.  Mine is to cooperate with His grace, using the charisms, abilities, experiences, and talents He has given me as His steward.

This is indeed a process. Though many make the claim with their lips (myself included), the practical reality is that, like any other relationship, this sort of change takes time and effort.  But unlike any other relationship, this change has eternal ramifications and greater fulfilment and reward than anything else we could wish to be part of.  So I journey on.  And I know that I am not alone, though many times I do feel that way.  No, I know that Christ is with me.  The triune God in His fullness is with me.  I have only to remember this reality and live in it, denying the lies of the Devil and the world that I am on my own.  Christ told St. Paul, “my grace is sufficient for you.” and I know that truth applies to my life as well.

Jesus, I trust in you!