opportunities
Morning came earlier than planned yesterday. The crisp and chilled air stoked the desire to curl beneath the warmth of the covers. Pain, discomfort, and an involuntary twitching joined forces with a mind that refused to surrender to slumber and became ever so persistent in the prompting to rise from the bed. With a solid four hours of slumber consumed this possessor of Parkinson’s proceeded to his recliner and the convenience of a book nearing its completion. Expecting sleep to make another visit we read and waited until it was obvious the visitor was not to arrive again that morning. Promptly consuming morning medication and coffee we soon set out in the rain for the men’s prayer breakfast scheduled for the convenience of those not rushing to work. A lesson about the “two sons” reminded us that what we do is a much deeper expression of our faith than what we say we will do. A return to the farmhouse rendered this tired and achy PD cohabitant to a state of intermittent jerks and twitches that prompted schedule readjustments and re-focused attention to letting go of the need to be anywhere other for that time. Prayers of gratitude for moments of spastic reprieve along with the prayers of others led to a restful evening of slumber and a return to today’s opportunities to serve others. Even in the mist of today’s chilling rain, there glows the light of possibilities fueled by the presence of thankfulness to be a living part of today’s experience!
All is quiet on the farm this morning. Even the rooster has taken a break. A chill has descended over the landscape as random leaves meander slowly to the ground. A reflective tone has emerged today as I ponder the blessings that have been wrought over the years. Pain and sorrow have been occasional visitors, but they have not overstayed their welcome as thankfulness and gratitude have swiftly filled their void. It seems like yesterday that I was wondering what life opportunities might unfold as I left this farm for college and adventures beyond. A whole new world began to emerge as I embraced possibilities along the path. The richness of people and places has been the source of great joy in the treasure chest of memories. As my family has grown, so has my bounty of gratitude been multiplied beyond simple measure. Challenges have more often than not been addressed as opportunities to discover and uncover the vastness of God’s creation. Even the challenges of disease are presenting discoveries new to me and bringing me closer to the beauty of a full spectrum of emotions that are always collected gently in my jar of thankfulness. The richness of being a human filled with the grace of God sustains this pilgrim’s journey. Psalm 23 has come to life and I am thankful to be tasting it!
There were days when the wind seemed relentless blowing from the northwest. A small five inch piece of siding lost its grip and a tiny space under the eaves became loosened just enough for a mating grackle to wedge her way into the waiting space. Debris from the compost pile littering the top of the air conditioning condenser was the first clue that something out of the ordinary was transpiring. Peering out of the kitchen window, we witnessed the grackle fly toward the space with dried grass sprigs as she builds her nest soon to be host to multiple eggs. A faulty flashing presented the opportunity for nature’s child to host an incubator for a new generation. How often do we see what appears to be a problem when someone else has seen it as an opportunity? It is in challenges that we learn the meaning of victory. It is in hardships that we learn perseverance. Sometimes it is less important to focus on what we see and more important to understand how we see it. The Apostle Paul instructed the believers in Thessalonica to “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) Note the instruction is not to give thanks FOR all circumstances, but IN all circumstances. May our eyes be opened to the possibilities that lie before us as we step in faith toward each new day!