Hey man, we need to talk. No, it’s not anything you have done. I know you by now and I trust that you are too old to get yourself in trouble. I didn’t say wise, I said you’re too old, brother.
You friggin worry too much. You fret about food, shelter, safety, security and money. Now, hear me bro. How old are you? Almost 79, right? Have you ever been without food? Have you ever needed to sleep in the woods? Havre you ever felt threatened or insecure in your environment? Have you ever been absolutely busted, not a penny in your pocket or your bank account? Get honest. I’m right here with you and I know the truth. Been with you for 79 years and I will not abandon you now.
So, what do you worry about? What breaks your peace of mind and serenity? Oh, I see. It’s other people and their behavior. It’s what they say to you, what they say about you, what they think of you. Well, here’s how it is. You don’t control a damn thing about other people. If they want to be assholes, that’s their problem. I will handle that in my own way.
It’s the past. You worry about the things you have done or left undone. It’s the times when you didn’t walk with me and you lived the life of a prodigal. Nothing about your past is a secret, brother. I know it all and I still love you with a passion that is beyond your understanding. Grow up and accept my love and forgiveness.
I can see you squirming with another “yeah, but”. Yeah, but what? What else do you worry about?
OK, so you’re worried about the darkness in this world, about the inhumanity of the world’s political systems, about the elected leaders who abuse their power. Yeah, I agree. The world is a mess. Too many people being murdered, too much greed, too little compassion for the hungry, the homeless, the poor and oppressed. I get it man, I hate it too. Unfortunately, that’s who y’all are. Maybe that’s why you need me.
You needed me 45 years ago to step in and take over your drunken life. You begged and pleaded and finally surrendered to a better way. You came back from your personal darkness, your walk through hell. And together we made a life for you. It wasn’t always easy. There was a lot of pain and heartache, but we did it, didn’t we , brother?
And what did we pray everyday?
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I should and the wisdom to know the difference.”
We did it, man. We conquered those demons and found a better way to live. A life of clean and serene. I could not have done it without your surrender and you could not have done it without my love and power.
Together, my brother. We did it together. So quit the worrying. I’m the One in control. Trust me. Haven’t let you down in 79 years.
And Gabby says, “Amen.”
GABBY GRAYWHISKERS 