September 2, 2008
For me, faith needs to be considered and regarded daily. It seems to change shape and form constantly because it encompasses so much that is unseen. There are the hints and reminders of a creating and sustaining God that one finds in nature. . . the sight of newly designed sunrises and ever changing cloud forms, the sounds of season changing winds and supportive rains falling and always, right overhead, the mystery of the stars and the universe. There are the touches of angels in the smiles and words of dear ones around a person, in the thoughtfulness of friends and nurses and doctors and good people. How this is perceived is held inside of each person’s own mind, and here it is that the conversation with God is heard. I think it is easy to understand “pray without ceasing” because God is so present.
This last week has been one in which I have thought about living in faith a great deal. My visit to my primary care doctor ended with a friendly admonition to take care, wash hands, avoid children, school settings and church because they would be the most dangerous places to pick up infections for which I have no defenses. I left knowing that two dear granddaughters would be arriving for a stay of several days, and that my weekly worship experience would need to continue – Charles always has new and wonderful music that wraps the hymn texts and readings in beautiful sound colors, and I go forward refreshed. But then I frequently get sick for a day or more, and my circle of life is pulled “out of round”. It was that way last weekend, too, but my contemplations of living in faith lead me to think that life has to be lived and I must not fear the outcomes.
The children were wonderful and bright and full of enthusiasm for all the things that Sanctuary had to offer them. They were delighted with every flower, butterfly, spider, frog, damsel fly and bird, but most of all they were delighted with Alphie. While standing on the roof, they blew bubbles and watched them catch in the treetops; we made chocolate ice cream and dried wild flowers in the microwave and always, there was Alphie to feed, pet, brush and be the object of much attention and conversation. Now they are back home and we are returning to our long breakfasts with good coffee and crosswords.
Listening to the cries of “change!’ that are coming from the political camps, it seems as though the weather over Sanctuary has decided to respond with a day of wonderful rain and a surprising number of yellow leaves falling to the ground. The migrating oriole that I mentioned in last year’s blog was sitting on the tree in the southwest corner of Sanctuary again. I do wonder if it is the same bird, or son of last year’s oriole following in its preprogrammed path toward a place the orioles know about in some part of their tiny brains. . . it is one of the lovely mysteries of nature. Life goes on. Thanks be to God.