Certain things just can’t be or so I would believe.
It all started when I was young and my mother took me to a place called “confusion hill”. The place was buried deep in the northern California Redwoods and it is indeed confusing. You seem to stumble and fall on an otherwise level floor, water runs uphill, and everything is the opposite of what it might seem. Even as I have grown older the optical and physiological illusions are so strong that I have a hard time “knowing” that things are different.
Things haven’t changed much with age. Assumptions mistakenly accepted in my youth are hard to shake and dislodge. The place where I see the contrast most is with people. Miracles and amazing acts of courage and mercy can come on any day and at any time! The contrast is that much of what we hold to be true actually is. Wisdom notes that “three things are too much for even the earth to bear, yes, four things shake its foundations—when the janitor becomes the boss, when a fool gets rich, when a whore is voted “woman of the year,” when a “girlfriend” replaces a faithful wife.” (Proverbs 30.21-23)
I wonder if things on my unfathomable list are actually fixed. Even with my cynicism I don’t think so. People always have a choice. Even in their darkest hours the prayers of those who care make a difference and miracles happen. People have an amazing ability to cope, handle, and take pain inflicted upon them by other people or life. Certain individuals are held as heroes. I am sure that individuals are however there are heroes to be found in every village and hamlet if one listens for the stories!
The challenge that is most often ignored is our “self”. Do you realize that you are a “child” of God’s? Do you understand in your heart that God loves you unconditionally, without reservation? God knows everything and in that knowledge wants to give you everything! This is something you and I should try to fathom.
