I learned my first prayer as a child from my aunt who had the Serenity Prayer (God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference) hanging over her kitchen sink in Vermont. I’ve often thought about my aunt who placed that prayer over her sink, a sink she stood at from the time she was married at 14 and who lived through two world wars, raised sons who served in the US Army and Air Force, and who had a grandson who served in the Marines. I thought about her looking at that prayer as her sons and grandson served in Korea and Vietnam and as she nursed her husband who died of cancer.
My aunt centered her life as a mother and wife on that prayer. It provided her with consolation, determination, and resiliency. I found myself reflecting once again on this prayer while thinking of all that is going on in our lives as we journey through this pandemic and as we process what is happening in Ukraine. This reflection is one of the tools that helps me process all that I am absorbing through the news coming out of Ukraine. I am writing this article at the start of the second week of this invasion and I have seen too many examples of humanitarian crises and violations juxtaposed against both compassionate responses to human suffering and brave determination to persevere and overcome significant odds. I am frustrated by many things in this invasion, but I am also encouraged and moved by the determined ways in which I see many Ukrainians, and those providing aid, living out this prayer.
If you are struggling with the pandemic, inflation at home, or what is happening in Ukraine, I encourage you to think of the resources at your disposal. Continue using the spiritual, social, or health resources that work best for you, and may you continue to find serenity, courage and wisdom.
By: Padre McGee
