I sat in an alcove of the Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque waiting. There was a soft stillness in the shade dominated by heat and humidity. The mosaic wall inlaid with precious stones offered a reflection for my consideration. I found myself lost in times of remembering, a cold winter’s night in Finland, an afternoon in a Singapore downpour, the surreal scenery of northern Vietnam, and on this day, in the soft light of a fading day in Abu Dhabi. For me, it was a time of restoration within. My heart repaired, my soul strengthened, my mind taken to a place of peace and hope. As I permission Divinity’s presence, I listened to the whispers at the moment.
In letting Divinity work within, the healing work is more than restoring what has been hurt and damaged by pain and the ugly sides of life. In turning toward Divinity, “In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary – we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!” (Romans 5.5)
In reflections, I see, hear, and remember differently. The call to reflection is, for me, not a time of rehashing the past. It is a time of understanding, learning, and growth. It is a time of seeing what unfolded through a divine perspective. In the alcove, I could feel Divinity’s embrace and words of promise. In accepting the invitation to simply be, I found myself in a retreat with angels as my guides.
Inspiration is not complete until it is expressed. In taking the reflection of the afternoon, I found myself facing the challenges and opportunities of today. Each moment can be an expression of compassion, caring, and community. Each is my opportunity to act. The path ahead is rarely smooth. Evil and adversaries are everywhere. Thirst, longing, and fading hope are present dangers. Within my control are gifts of kindness, acts of love, and expressions of hope. Each step will reveal my values and priorities as I exercise my freedom to choose.
