Wisdom

I thought I knew what I was doing.  Henry knew better.  As my confidence grew, so did his worry.  Even as I encountered my first small bumps on the rocks, he was on the telephone.  As he demanded my attention over lunch, I knew I had to listen.  What followed forever changed the course of my life.
 
In hindsight, the change was not simply because Henry cared for me in a knowledge-filled way that nobody else in my life could.  The course correction did not come from the knowledge that came from reading the books Henry mandated I put on my reading list, though they did help me see the world differently.  Even the blunt forced lesson in corporate politics was not the driver for change, even though I was sure that was the single most important lesson I would take away from that lunch. 
 
Everything changed in my life during that lunch in a less than memorable place.  Candidly, I have no idea where we went or the food that went along with it.  What I do know about that moment in time is the following.  First, a person with greater wisdom than me was engaged in my life.  He had earned the right to speak.  Second, a person chose to speak because he knew I would listen.  Third, when the time was right, he spoke and I listened.  In hindsight, engaged compassion coupled with a soul’s willingness to be greater than she/he was/is will always give birth to wonder.  With truth, wonder finds hope and a child is born. 
 
I will always have time for the Henry in my life.  Right now, I count myself fortunate enough to have several Henrys giving voice to God’s thoughts, nudges, and direction.  If you do not have a Henry in your life, find one.  God’s voice is a powerful force for good.  “They weren't thirsty when he [God] led them through the deserts.  He made water pour out of the rock; he split the rock and the water gushed.”  (Isaiah 48.21)  What you need, God will provide.