This morning I couldn't think of anything to put up on the blog. That was my first mistake, i.e., thinking. Richard was happy to point out my second.
Ann: Is the well dry?
Richard Burton: Certainly not. How can you say so with all the conversations that have been flying around here?
Ann: Yes, but for me not the blog.
Richard: You think so?
Ann: Yeah, I just looked at them.
Richard: Love, after all this time, sometimes I can still be surprised at how almost intentionally dense you can be.
We come to you, we come to your blog. It is very much the same thing. What we offer on your blog, you and those of us who speak here, is simply to chart one person’s journey to God, warts and all. And right now, love, your warts are showing.
Ann: OK, I’ll bite. What warts?
Richard: The ones that somehow think that you must receive messages from heaven every moment of the day. That, love, is your ego talking, so perhaps it might be time to send him out for a drink while we continue this conversation.
Ann: OK, happy to do so, never really liked the old so-and-so anyway.
Richard: That’s my girl. Now I have some space to get to what is happening to you – again – which is preoccupation with the political drama taking place in your country.
Not that I think you should ignore it, but you become complicit when you allow yourself to wallow in that filth. Yes, I know that’s a strong word, and I won’t suggest you take another look because you have already started to feel that grime settling in about your shoulders and fogging up your vision.
Instead, turn your attention to how you can be of help. That, love, is always the answer to these seemingly unanswerable questions which usually start with, “How can Spirit allow…..” fill in the blanks.
And I am not just speaking to you alone. Each one of us is susceptible to the siren song calling us to wallow in the shortcomings of others. Let us remove the plank from our own eyes before worrying about the speck, ok, more than a speck in this case, in the eyes of others.
Find your task this day, the gift you can give without being asked, the person, who may not even be known to you who can receive that gift. It is not hard to do. Even a kind word unexpectedly offered can brighten a day or even change a life.
And as each of you turns your attention to the gifts you have on offer, you will feel your sap rising, for hope and kindness are the leaven in God’s Creation.
October 6, 2020
Yesterday I was on my walk and saw a 6 point buck watching me from his nest in the brush. He looked so well fed and beautiful that at first he didn’t look real. When I came back around he was still there and I just stopped again to admire his regal beauty. It was a spiritual experience. I am used to deer seeing me and fleeing, not looking me in the eyes and not even flinching. Every time I heard something reckless that the Trump administration did after that encounter, I made myself remember the miracle I was allowed to experience twice. I looked for him today but sadly he was not there.
I always find a little time outside always helps me shake some of the insanity and stress away. Even if it is just walk around the block, getting the mail or playing with the pets. Being outside seems to remind me there are many things happening on this planet that have nothing to do with my life or humans in general, and somehow magically gives me a new perspective. No idea how it works, but just seems to.