Shining Spirit

Two remarkable things happened to me yesterday, both related to my sick automobile. I knew it was ill because it hesitated in the “wake up, let’s go” process. I pushed the Start button and the response was something like a grunt or a growl. Then, within a few seconds the motor responded and off we went. It was unlike my fine car to be slow in responding, so I stopped by a local auto supply store, told my story to the man behind the counter, and then watched as he hooked up his battery tester to the suspected point of my car’s illness. “Your battery’s shot.” He didn’t mince words. The temperature in Tucson yesterday, while we stood in the parking lot looking at the corpse of a battery, was 106. What I expected to hear next was this: “You need a new battery and I’ve got them on the shelf. Won’t take long and it will be less than $200 dollars.” What I heard was this: Your battery is dead and it needs to be replaced. But as I was inspecting it carefully, I found the purchase information on the side and it’s still under warranty with that store across the street. Go over there and see if you can save some money.” I thanked in profusely as he lowered the car’s hood and then I offered to pay him for his time and all the sweat that lined his forehead. I had the money in my hand, extended to him, as he smiled, put his hand on my shoulder and said: “I’m just glad to help.” And with that he turned and went back into the air conditioning. Remarkable moment number 1: It’s called Integrity, Honesty, Generosity, Thoughtfulness. Pick one: they are all in short supply these days.

So, I started the reluctant car, drove across the street and walked into the next remarkable moment. “I think my battery is dead,” I told the young woman behind the counter. “Well let’s check it out,” she replied, gathering her testing equipment and heading for the 106 degree parking lot. It didn’t take long: “Your battery is shot.” Familiar words. I shrugged my shoulders, expecting to hear: “I can replace it for around $100 with the warranty discount.” But, what I heard was this: “Give me a minute and I’ll be back.” She disappeared into the store, I waited. Then, here she came, pushing a service cart with tools and a fresh battery. It took her five minutes to remove the deceased battery and install the living one, and then she lowered the car’s hood, smiled at me and said: “You’re on your way.” “That’s it?” I asked. “That’s it. No cost,” she replied. This time I added a few more dollars to my “Thank You” gift for her effort, but she refused. I tried again but got the same response, this time with this added comment: “I’m glad to help out.” As she pushed her work cart across the steaming asphalt, I thought to myself: There are still good people in this world. Remarkable moment number 2: it’s called Integrity, Honesty, Kindness. Pick one: they are all in short supply these days.

As I drove home in my happy car, my spirit lifted by two remarkable moments with strangers who demonstrated their kindness and honesty, I smiled a genuine “Thank You” and sent it into the universe, hoping that it will bless all who live the human values that we need in all areas of our lives. Goodness lives. Thanks be to God.

Walk slowly into the coming night,
into the warmth of a different light.
Leave behind all the plans and well-thought schemes
that began as what seemed impossible dreams.
Travel light, carry only the essential things:
A thankful heart and a song to sing
as darkness descends and shadows appear,
as the edge of night draws ever near.

Do not look back; leave what remains;
no regrets, no remorse, relinquish all pain.
All that you’ve treasured in these former days
will serve no good purpose as you find your way
toward the center, the essence, where your eyes will see
all that has been and all that will be.
Walk on, for the soft light grows every bright
as you walk by faith into the night.

In those last few steps toward the welcoming light,
when all behind has faded from sight,
you will hear the great chorus of angels sing
the song that only you can bring.
And the stars will dance with sheer delight,
for you have become eternal light.

Smell the rose. Pick the berries. Harvest the crop. It’s what shows that counts. Right?

Nobody ever says “thank you” to the roots. They aren’t very pretty, don’t smell particularly good, don’t make a nice arrangement on the dining room table. But nothing shows without roots. Or, to put it another way, roots define what you see.

Two observations: First, Farmer (Apostle) Paul urged his Christian friends in the city of Colossae to “walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in faith.” The him is Jesus, who, himself, was rooted in God…the visible “flower” of God in the world. Petunias don’t grow without roots. Unseen, unappreciated, absolutely essential. Christians don’t grow without being “rooted” in Christ Jesus, and rooted is more than a casual “hello.” More than an occasional friendship. More than a hymn, a hallelujah, and holding a Bible in your hand. Roots! The spiritual reality is this: the deeper you go into Christ, the more beautiful the blossom of faith and trust.

Second, another piece of this spiritual reality comes from the words of author Mark Nepo: “The light I take in keeps the roots of my soul alive.” A plant needs light, among other things, to grow and bloom. Light is essential nourishment. You and I need light to grow into the women and men we are called to be by virtue of our commitment to Christ. Roots deprived of nourishment die. Rootedness in Christ dries up and disappears if not fed.

Farmer Paul had it right. “…as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Roots matter! Aren’t they beautiful?

Do yourself a favor: investigate a book titled “The Book of Awakening” by Mark Nepo. It is simple, profound, and beautiful. Each page is a thought for the day, a thought and reflection from the poetic, spiritual heart of Nepo. Amazing.

For this day: “Much of our anxiety and inner turmoil comes from living in a global culture whose values drive us from the essence of what matters. At the heart of this is the conflict between the outer definition of success and the inner value of peace. Unfortunately, we are encouraged, even trained, to get attention when the renewing secret of life is to give attention.”

“The longer we try to get attention instead of giving it, the deeper our unhappiness. It leads us to move through the world dreaming of greatness, needing to be verified at every turn, when feelings of oneness grace us only when we verify the life around us. It makes us desperate to be loved, when we sorely need the medicine of being loving.”

This reality leaves us with these choices: “fame or peace, be a celebrity or celebrate being, work all our days to be seen or devote ourselves to seeing, build our identity on the attention we can get or find our place in the beauty of things by the attention we can give.”

I offer Nepo’s wonderful thought in the spirit of The One who taught this same approach to life centuries ago, who pointed out that this is the pathway to God and the deepest joy of life. Press on; don’t give up. Don’t give in. Just give.

The world I see through my window is dark.

I cannot see little ground animals scurry from bush to bush, nor the delicate limbs of the mesquite tree wave in the wind. Darkness covers the world that I experience at this moment. But, in my house, in the place where I sit at this moment, one lamp shines from the corner of my desk. It is not a powerful light, not spotlight or lighthouse for the world’s benefit. In my house…

And I think of the words of Jesus: You are the light of the world…you Tom and Marilyn and Paul and Patty; all of you…all of us…We are the light of the world. He tells us who we are, and then He tells us what to do. Shine. The little lamp on the corner of my desk shines, and I can see. Shine, isn’t that who we are; isn’t that what we said we would do?

Beginning today, try this: Remind yourself every morning in your waking up routine…I am light. I am meant to shine. Today I will consciously and intentionally shine. Then, as you prepare to sleep in the night, sit on the edge of your bed and ask yourself: where and how was I light today? Where and how did light shine through me today? Don’t settle for “I had a nice thought or I was courteous to the sales clerk or I waved at my neighbor.” Shine. Make a difference. Don’t be content with casual light. Enter the day with the intention to shine and then name it when you sit on the edge of your bed and reflect on the day.

If we don’t shine with courageous intention, we are imposters. If we refuse to shine because of possible consequences or because we are afraid, we perpetuate darkness.

We are the light of the world, to the world, in the world. Darkness grows stronger, but we are stronger yet…if we shine. Don’t leave it to someone else. Justice and Truth and Mercy and Self-giving Love can be hidden by darkness, and darkness thrives where there is no Light.

Be Light. Shine.

Follow your path today. Step carefully. Admire the beauty as you walk, but don’t lose sight of the miracle ahead. Walk gratefully, for others have gone before you. They blazed the trail upon which you walk; they call us forward. The gifts of God surround you. Walk in trust. Press on in faith. The blessing is in the journey.

If you were the 15th star from the left, the little white dot, or if you were so far back in the picture that you can’t be seen, or if you felt like you could never be recognized because there are so many…you would still be known and loved by God, unique and special.

That’s just how it works. Look in the mirror. There’s not another you. Maybe your critics would say: “One’s enough!” Don’t believe them. The place wouldn’t be the same without you. You’re the 15th star from the left. You are seen and known and loved. Truly.

It’s a paradox, but I think that getting older gives you special opportunities to see the world with wonder, imagination, and a unique clarity. Nothing wrong with becoming “child-like.” That’s not the same as being “child-ish.” Wasn’t it Jesus who said that becoming child-like is the best way to grasp the meaning of “the fullness of life”? So today, why don’t we do this: See instead of just looking. Hear instead of paying partial attention. Feel instead of simply touching. Think before you speak. Engage instead of merely encountering. Now, wouldn’t that make today extra special.

Speaking of extra special, would you like to hear about a book that I’m reading. Of course you would. The title is Spiritual Literacy and it was written by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat. The sub-title reveals more about this important book: “Reading The Sacred In Everyday Life.” Between the covers is a collection of 650 brief excerpts from contemporary books and movies, illustrations of spirituality in everyday life. I find it to be a wonderful doorway into seeing the world with new eyes; connecting the common to the sacred. Just thought you might like to know about it.

And speaking of extra special. I know a couple who today mark 65 years of marriage. That’s a long time, but a wonder-filled time. Extra special!

May this good day be extra special for you, too. Press on.

May they rest in peace
in the arms of the grateful green earth
covered by the pure blue sky of honor
until the trumpet sounds that final time
and all the white stones begin to sing
and time stands still and we
greet them once again
heroes and friends.
Thank you!

God is not somewhere else,
not in a dream or
a distant planet,
not to be sought but
to be recognized,
not in the yet to come
but in the was and is.

God is not somewhere else
but in the flowering tree,
in the bird that sings just
outside your window,
in the smile you received
and the embrace you gave,
in all your eyes can see
and in all your heart can feel

God is not somewhere else.