I sat, waiting for my procedure. It felt like I was in an exam room, waiting to be tested. I had received my instructions. I had my opportunity to ask questions. There had been plenty of time to prepare. I did not know what to expect. My faith that this was the best action remained unchanged. At the same time, I did not know what would follow. I heard the echo from the past as my voice recognised my heart in, and among, the community. “I said to myself regarding the human race, ‘God’s testing the lot of us, showing us up as nothing but animals.’” (Ecclesiastes 3.18)
The evacuation route on the wall captured my conundrum. Using my mind, I knew the exit was immediately on my left, marked in green on the map. My heart visually identified with the red marking where I was. My heart followed the red dotted lines to the escape path. I was lucky not to be quizzed in the moment. I knew my heart would have dominated my head. In the time that followed, I found myself returning to this decision point as Life’s whispers challenged and encouraged me to continue with each small step into the unknown.
My future is unwritten, and by extension, unknown. I will bring myself and what I carry within to each moment. Beyond that, everything is unknown. I do have the power to invite others to join me. I can invite Divinity to be present, filled with compassion, care, and hope. I can extend a hand to Courage and Humility, each an example of my best self in action. There are others as well. Each will join my journey with an invitation of my heart and soul.
Life does not promise smooth paths. The whispers speak of stories of challenge and pain. In my best moments, there is a battle to be had. It will likely be there, within and possibly without as well. The calling is to collaborate with Divinity, bringing compassion, kindness, and care to each moment as it is needed.
