My brother and I have a recurring place we go to when we are hanging out with time to talk. I give him full credit for the launch! A surprise question then has now become a wonderful starting point. We always end up sharing a bit of laughter and leaving with more understanding.
“Do you remember ______ (time, place, and incident)?”
“Yes, why do you ask?”
“What do you remember, specifically?”
As we share our memories of the incidents, what unfolds are two stories. We know the characters well! The key points made in the short play are often verbatim. What changes is nuances, perspective, and how one sees what is unfolding.
At some point in the exchange I always end up saying, “wow, I never say that! Are you sure we are still in the same story?” We are but the perspective that I see now changes everything. It is as if I see myself as I was for the first time. As we launch and walk through the stories, I find myself embracing several outcomes that I have come to value.
Yesterday’s angst and anger now sits in a new context. Inevitably the context is more holistic and balanced. Questions that lingered, “You aren’t going to keep this up, are you? scowling and angry, year after year?” (Psalm 85.5) Now seem irrelevant. My conclusions and judgments are revised with understand, compassion, empathy, and a big dose of mercy.
Yesterday’s self centeredness morphs into a larger story. The bigger picture was always there, but my natural starting point always began with “I”. With the invitation to see more, I find myself walking with a good friend who is also part of the family. The story is greater than anything I imagined.
With renew insight into the past, I find myself holding new lessons and insights. Life becomes richer, more complex, and in the end I see more beauty and hope.
I am thankful for the gifts. I am also challenged to use the gifts in the moment at hand. There is more to embrace.
