Every once in awhile, a rare moment, I am able to see myself in the mirror. In that briefest moment in time I see my age, feel the miles that have come and gone, and sense my mortality. The five plus decades are closer to six. In a sardonic way, my father triggered a recent reflection by sharing a baby picture of mine that I do not remember ever seeing. I was still in diapers but walking. I was in a baby version of yoga pose, reflecting far more of my birth place than anyone recognized at the time.
It has been a long run since then. In the best moments and difficult ones, I have been blessed with the presence of friends and family that deeply cared. I have known that I was part of something bigger than myself. It is a wonderful way to look back.
Like others around me, the path has had its share of obstacles and barriers. When I think of the worry and sweat, I am overwhelmed. It is not that I have it any worse, it is more that I can see the overwhelming burdens that are part of your life as well as my own. It is frightening to reflect on it. There are no easy answers. Uncertainties are devastatingly real. Evil is painful.
As I look for answers, I find David’s plea reflects my thoughts. God, “take a hard look at my life of hard labor, then lift this ton of sin.” (Psalm 25.18) My mind races on, asking God to ignore the fact that part of the labor was of my own creation. I silently close my eyes knowing that Divinity already knows. In the moment, my trust and faith rests on Compassion and Mercy. With them, I have hope.
I know Hope is alive. I believe in Compassion and Mercy. I have seen it gifted to the deserving as well as those who are not. The clarity is a gift of light. Today’s dawn brings fresh possibilities. The freedom to do act is within us.
