I woke up to mother earth’s tears. Gray clouds have wrapped themselves around the windows and the balconies are dripping wet. The earth seems to be remembering something with open tears. With an unusual twist, a picture of a classmate’s gravesite that I discovered and posted two months ago, has just been noticed and commented on by many who knew her at the time.
The timing of their remarks is puzzling. The 40th anniversary of her death just passed. I did not note her birth or death date when I posted the pictures. Yet, within a few days the milestone, comments appeared. They appeared, almost to the day, of the anniversary of when I participated in her funeral. Life has found a way to remind me of how fragile, precious, and important it is. I am asking David’s questions; “I look at my micro-self and wonder, why do you bother with us? Why take a second look our way?” (Psalm 8.4)
As difficult as the reflection can be, I would like to suggest that the answers are here if we are willing to listen.
Life, Divinity, and others care about you and me because we are one of God’s kids. We can be fun, perplexing, and engaged – often all at the same time! Given our parentage, out membership in the family, others care and see our value.
As small, error-prone, and idiotic (at least I am) as we can be, we can also make a difference. How we use our freedom touches others as well as ourselves. We hold within us the possibility of making the world a better place.
Divinity is focused on the moment at hand – nothing else matters. It is also true for you and me. Yesterday, in the mix of glory and infamy, is available for our learning (growth) and remembering (confidence in God’s willingness to act). Tomorrow has yet to come. Everything pivots in the now.
It is good to pause with earth’s tears. I remember one more kind to me than I was to her. It is time to live.
