Events happen that I never thought possible. While I considered the outcome with rationale logic, I dismissed any chance of the result. It is as if I intentionally blinded myself to what is now real.
As I consider the what comes next, I am reminded of other surprises in my past. Among the more twists, turns, and events that changed the course of my life, several caught me by surprise. In the unusual stillness in life that always follows, I can hear Life whispering heart and mind reminders.
Remember Gerald May’s learnings; what seems good may be good or bad, what seems bad may in the end turn out to be a blessing or even a miracle. Life is. In each moment, we are called to be fully and completely present. At times this means stillness and quietness. On other occasion it may call for tears or celebration. The important calling is for our attention and response to the moment. In each is an opportunity for love, compassion and community.
See and fully experience everything around you. Be it a smooth road or the chaos that followed when “with a word he [God] called up the wind – an ocean storm, towering waves!” (Psalm 107.25) Wherever one finds one’s self, embrace the moment.
Live with purpose. Be intentional. The greatest gift within us is freedom. We decide our priorities and values. We decide how we see what is going on around us. We decide what we will do and when we will do it.
You and I live within a story that is much bigger than either and both of us. At times the story seems to be filled with horror and terror. It is hard to imagine that there is a future. In these moments, our choice can be the first part of a light that grows as others embrace our willingness to gift others with compassion, caring, and community.
As surprised as I was, there are even greater surprises to come when we choose love over justice, community over isolation, and acceptance over judgement.
