The month-long celebration of prayer and fasting stands out in the calendar. Even if one is not actively participating in the disciplines, it is a season of reflection that dominates one’s daily life. Traffic patterns change. Work hours are adjusted. Many non-believers take extra care not to openly offend. In anticipation for the first day, when it comes, it is a relief that morphs into a greater sense of peace and quietness.
The reminders are everywhere. As I walked home from dinner last night, the street displays were whispers from the past, pointing me toward the future.
Life is filled with gifts, even as the struggle continues. The strands of light speak to me of date palms and their fruit. In the uncertainty and chaos of the day, it is easy to forget about the gifts that sustain one’s life. With food and laughter, I found myself rediscovering the connections between friends. Each experience is a date for my soul. I was fed, supported, and filled with hope.
Life’s seasons offer us the hope of being reborn with the certainty of growth to follow. There are many ways to understand the cycles of time that mark it passing. The new moon signals a beginning, revealing an open invitation to embrace opportunities of awareness and insight. Nature will progress towards the full moon and beyond. The choice of what happens in my life will be revealed in the steps I take today.
Patience is not the same as doing nothing. It is hard to wait. I enjoy life’s speed only to find myself wishing that I had taken time to enjoy the moments I had. Last night’s walk was casual and comfortable. Some would say I was slow. As today begins, I find myself repeating old words, “That’s why it has taken me so long to finally get around to coming to you.” (Romans 15.22).
In my waiting, I have refilled my soul with an awareness of the gifts Divinity and her children have brought to me. With a thankful heart, I will share with others today.
