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| To keep or not to keep |
Without doubt or hesitation, I know that God keeps His Promises. Mercy and love, impartial judgment and grace, integrity and unchanging character, compassion to the weak crushed by life, forgiveness and salvation...endless list.
In many blog posts, one will express pain and suffering or depression over losses, or heartbreak. In the comment section, so many sincere followers give comfort and sympathy. And then, there is "I'll be praying for you" somewhere in the comments, or "Prayers and blessings".
But, I wonder are these phrases are actually followed? Once the words are written and the cursor goes to publish, will these word be acted upon?
This is not a criticism, for I write these words myself, but simply a question.
Robert Frost wrote in "Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening" this last quatrain,
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
But I have promises to keep. Any type of promise? Yes, it would seem so. A promise to bring a salad to a potluck is an easy promise--CostCo. A promise to meet at 2:00 can vary from 1:55 to 2:05 (we are obsessive about this.) is still an easy promise to keep for most people. My in-laws are lax on this.
But to say "I'll be praying for you" is vague. Perhaps this sentence should be followed by "I promise". This is one promise that requires commitment and sincerity. It needs to be kept.
Can you do this? Do you keep your promises? Why, or why not?
Good point and well taken. Adding a promise makes a difference. I keep those that are within my control.
ReplyDeleteVery true, Alex. very true.
DeleteWhen I saw your title, I immediately thought of Frost's poem. I always liked that poem.
ReplyDeleteI try to keep promises and I never tell anyone I'll pray for them.
It is always best to be sincere and follow through.
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ReplyDeleteDouble run
DeleteTwice the fun
One of my favorite poems.
ReplyDeleteBeing raised on a person's word is his bond, his worth, I've never made promises lightly. Couldn't sleep if I didn't keep them.
Same here.
DeleteI keep those I make at my sea, but don't make them unless I can keep them.
ReplyDeleteI can see that in you, Pat. A promise made is a promise kept.
DeleteI promise myself to promise the dogs certain things and those I may not keep. They know it too, so guilt sets in.
ReplyDeleteWhen I had my rough time last year, I felt the prayers from my blogger friends. From people I don't really, really know. I felt the prayers, it's sounds weird but I did and they helped.
Inger, you were surrounded by prayers. You were held in the palm of God.
DeleteI know if I say I'll pray for someone, I need to do it that very moment or I'll get distracted and forget. I've known people who will promise something lightly and then forget it just as quickly. I don't want to be that person.
ReplyDeleteTo be known as one who does not honor promises is a terrible reputation to have.
DeleteI do try and keep my promises.
ReplyDeleteAnd, as a non-praying person, I wonder whether the positive thoughts for that person are themselves a form of prayer. Even before the more formal prayer itself?
I hope someone will tell me. It is a serious question.
The universe hears it, EC, and sends it where it must go.
DeleteJoanne says it perfectly.
DeleteThank you both.
DeleteI almost left a comment earlier today, but my heart was too heavy. Laura is going through a rough patch right now. I made a commitment to these girls to get them through. One day at a time.
ReplyDeleteThis I promise, Joanne: I will pray for you and your girls. I promise.
DeleteI've always loved that verse. Not sure I make promises in the first place. Can't think of any recently anyway.
ReplyDeleteRobert Frost was a genius, one of the best of American poets.
DeleteI'm not a praying type of person, so from now on I'm going to think before I write such a thing. I'm more likely to keep someone in my thoughts rather than pray for them. So that's what I'll write instead of "I'll pray for you".
ReplyDeletePromises? I don't make many and I give careful thought as to whether or not I can keep a promise before I make it.
Promises should never be made lightly.
DeleteI try to keep all my promises, so I am careful of what I say.
ReplyDeleteI was taught, many years ago, that those words by Robert Frost were the most beautiful ever written. I still think that is true.
This one poem of Frost's many excellent poems always says many thoughts when I read it--Interpreting it differently.
DeleteHi Susan - I try and keep the promises I make that are tangible .. when it comes to comments ... I usually use other words - but remember those blogging friends and think about them ... that suits me ...
ReplyDeleteCheers Hilary
That is a good action in itself--thinking about friends and keeping them in your mind.
DeleteI also try to keep my promises, and I've been haunted by the rare exceptions that I haven't. I think we all do what we can in our own way.
ReplyDeleteJulie
Yes! Not keeping a promise lingers in my mind.
DeleteThat's why I say something like "keeping you in my thoughts". Or "well wishes". Because those are done in that moment.
ReplyDeletethat is a wise choice, really. But, when a blogger asks for prayer, I always pray for them.
Delete