A statue of Charloun Rieu, a French poet and farmer, stands out on the mountain where Château des Baux, a 10th-century fortified castle is found in southern France. I am reminded of the bond between land and life and a peasant poet and farmer who stood between them. In connecting the two, his creativity with words reflected the strength of this bond. As I consider his legacy, I am struck by the bonds which tie my heart and soul with belief.
I believe love, as demonstrated through kindness and care, is the defining force of my life. I do not see any other force taking precedence. It is “the” force that defines my calling, life’s priorities, and the measure of a life well lived. I am open to an ongoing dialogue on the subject. Others have used different words and expressions to capture the defining designs of their lives. To date, our dialogues always end up with harmony at the centre.
In love’s embrace, my world was redefined. It has happened repeatedly. Divinity knew in advance that I would need to be reminded and reassured of her love. In the embrace through friends and experience, “I’m absolutely convinced that nothing – nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable – absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.” (Romans 8.38, 39). To each who has been a Divine agent, you have my external gratitude. I see life more clearly because of you and our experience together.
In the bond with Divinity, I found my calling. It is quite simple. It is also unchanged over the years. I feel called to support Divinity’s children in whatever way each child needs to be supported. At times, it is a listening ear or shoulder to lean on. On other occasions, it is a word of hope, encouragement, or observation. In the journey one finds oneself on, it is in being present and willing that the call finds its roots.
