There is a hidden story within my life and likely yours as well. It is not one that we tell. For many, myself included, we do not take time to recognize the plot line, characters, or story in context. The foundation is found in where we spend our time.
Like many insights, I only saw what was obvious in my mirror as I was asked to comment on another. In his seeking advice, I found myself looking for the telltale signs of what I could sense more than see. As I looked, I ended up finding more than I wanted to. The starting point was time. In looking past the rhetoric, the question centered on how and where time was being allocated. Was there a pattern? Initially I did not think so, but as I expanded my view it was there for the understanding. While he spoke of community, much of his time was given to self. As he appeared to embrace compassion, his actions spoke of judgment. The irony of his words of caring was difficult to ignore in the context of the critical and cynical actions of the friends he gave his energy to.
Life reminded me that my initial critical thoughts might require tempering. There was a lingering suggestion that would not leave, calling me to look in the mirror. I could see disconnects that were hard to ignore.
As I cast my reflected wider, I realize that Divinity and the Spirit of Goodness and Hope live where they are welcome. While always accessible, living, time, and attention are gifted to those that reflect the values Divinity stands for. It is a mirror image, challenging me to act on what I know to be true. The Psalmist notes that God kept “a house in Salem, [with] his own suite of rooms in Zion.” (Psalm 76.2) Divinity story, like mine, is told in the trail of actions. The contrast with mine is that my ideal is still a dream versus Divinity’s ideal realized through actions.
There is time to adjust and align my steps.
