Anticipation

I have moments when life catches up to me.  It is as if I can where the paths are leading, and there isn’t anything I can do.  When I try to act I seem to ignite debates.  At some point, “in the midst of the shouting, I said, ‘Let me alone.  Let me grieve by myself.  Don't tell me it's going to be all right.  These people are doomed.  It's not all right.’”  (Isaiah 22.4)  I know, or so I thing.
 
Sometimes I’m right, yet just as often I’m absolutely, totally, and completely wrong.  I find myself caught in reflection.  I realize I have totally missed the point.  Life doesn’t revolve, my mission doesn’t change, by the reality of what can and will happen tomorrow.  Some people may die.  The reality of this struck home in a personal way this week.  Some people may be lost, forever.  You don’t, I don’t, have any control over what can and will happen, especially in light of the freedom of choice each and every one of us holds within our self.  Bad stuff is going to happen.  This is a harsh reality we live with. 
 
Anticipating, knowing, and even sensing what can/will happen doesn’t alter our mission.  In fact the reality of the blues should be the biggest motivator we can have to realize compassion, mercy, and acceptance in the communities in which we find ourselves!  We have the opportunity to make a difference.  We hold compassion without our hearts – we can choose to give it to others in ways that radically alters the immediate world around the receiver.  We hold mercy without our minds – we can choose to give it to others or demand justice.  We even have the freedom to accept those within our community, with or without conditions. 
 
I wake today anticipating what might be.  I can feel the pain and it calls me to act.  I can sense the longing and I find compassion the only answer.  I see barriers yet I know I hold the key to acceptance.  I even anticipate a better world.