Sometimes it seems sensible to take what is given of advice, even when you haven’t asked for it. I had just begun the process of seeking some wisdom for the day when the following quote from Corrie Ten Boom appeared unannounced on my telephone screen. It reminds me that we ought to stay awake at all times and alert to messages that might seem strange or whimsical but which might provide just what we need. This will be my guide for today.
When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.
Today’s Scripture texts – as many in the post-Easter season – tell stories of healings or extraordinary events. The book of Acts of the Apostles finds Peter and John realizing their gift of healing (3:1-10) and the gospel of the “road to Emmaus” recounts an early sighting of the resurrected Jesus (LK 24:13-35). In both cases it is an inner knowing rather than an outer event that leads to the miraculous. The moral of both stories, it seems, is “Stay awake!”
Yesterday I made my way along four hours of beautiful New York and Vermont highways, bowing inwardly to the majesty of mountains, trying not to be disappointed that there is no autumn color yet on the trees. It is, after all, still September. I sit this morning in the familiar gathering place aptly named Hallelujah Farm, ready or not to begin the annual meeting when we are privileged to recommend grants that will assist worthy organizations to continue the work of spreading wisdom – so needed in our world today. This will be the last of these privileged granting events as our dear friend’s money has been generously distributed over the past five years and is now doing its work. Helen Daly was a delightful, determined, dedicated woman who passed from this world too early for our liking but whose surrender was a lesson to us all. Her vision will continue to be manifested in the work of more people than she could have imagined in projects that continue to be birthed in ripples all over our country.
Perhaps because I had left my window open last night, I was awakened early by the wild chorus of birds outside. I was somewhat grateful because I believe I saw the only patch of blue sky for this day where once again rain is predicted – 100%! The sky is gray now and the birds have completed their concert, but I continue to hear strains of Beethoven playing inside with the lyrics of Joyful, joyful we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love. Hearts unfold like flowers before thee, opening to the sun above…
On the opening page of chapter 2 of her Seven Sacred Pauses, Macrina Wiederkehr writes about greeting the dawn. Toward the end of her reflection she offers words more meaningful than any I could string together as guidance for this day.
