Shining Spirit

The photo, look closely. See all that white stuff on the deck surface? Around the base of the grill? Those are ice crystals that fell from the sky without invitation, much warning or my agreement. And sleet continues to pepper the ground. One weather report warns that by next weekend the lows will be in the low 20s or teens, highs in the low 30s. I think I woke up in Fargo. So what to do? Answer, in this order: (1) Stop being a cry baby (2) Notice that the white crystals actually decorate the landscape, give it a different look (3) accept this moment as a gift, since you can’t do much about it (4) say Thank You to the Source and Provider of these delicate gems that fall from the sky (5) get a cup of coffee, your camera and make the most of this moment; it will never happen just like this again. (6) be grateful that you’re not in Fargo where it’s 4 degrees this morning and feels like -6.  You know, it is rather pretty out there.

Never turn your back on an angry sea. Let me explain. First, I was never in danger. I’m old and slow but not stupid.

Because of weather conditions here and elsewhere, the ocean was angry yesterday. Winds were high and the surf was grumbly. I walked to a place about halfway between the water and the grassy dunes, a safe spot that would be just about at the water’s edge when it came rolling in. I wore my waterproof boots, ankle height, warm clothing and I carried my camera in my hand. I turned my back to the rumbling waves, still a long way from me, to watch a gull hovering in the strong wind, then I turned back to the water. It was at this point that I heard the great sea laugh: ”We’ve got him!”

I turned and started to run to higher ground but after maybe three steps I was engulfed in cold, frothy sea water. Up to my knees. Ankle height, waterproof boots don’t work well completely submerged. So, I learned a couple of things from the experience. First, and I’m sure I’ve written about this before, be aware of the moment, look for beauty as you walk through your day. But, never turn your back on an angry ocean. And, wear those clunky knee-high rubber boots. And, use a long lens so you can sit in the car and get the same photo. And, on cold, blustery days, when the ocean is flexing its muscles, stay home and drink hot chocolate. In hindsight, it was a memorable morning. Beautiful, powerful, challenging. When I got home, I made sure we had a container of hot chocolate mix. My waterproof boots are still drying.

The numbered tiles are the heart of a highly addictive table game called Rummikub. In the game, each player draws 14 tiles, face down so you can’t see the numbers, and uses those tiles to start play. Enough to say that the unseen numbers you draw at the beginning make a big difference in how the play develops. More than once I have taken my unseen 14, turned them over so I was the only player to see them, and, with great disappointment, said: “Oh…..no! Bad draw! Lousy numbers!” But, and here’s the point, you have to play the hand that was dealt, or in this case, the hand drawn.

A commentary on life. As in Rummikub, it doesn’t do a lot of good to complain, or moan, or gripe about the “tiles” I’ve been given. You and I know people who would rather gripe than get in the game. You just take what you have, get in the game, and in the course of play, you make those numbers better. Each of us has varying gifts or skills or talents, and with gratitude, we live each day in thoughtful, creative, compassionate ways, and guess what, win or lose, it turns out to be a pretty good game, at least better than we expected. Don’t underestimate yourself. Those “numbers” you have can do much more than you think, more than you can imagine, when you are grateful for your place at the table and when you play the game with compassion and integrity. Today is a new game. Ready, set, play!

Am I paranoid, or what?

There could be several explanations for this. For instance, maybe I need to call my friend Virgil and have him drop over and perform an exorcism. Or, six weeks in a tiny coastal village in the middle of winter with limited social contact, except my lovely wife, is pushing my limit. Or, my kitchen utensils are trying to communicate with me. Should I be concerned?

I think I’ll just say “Good morning!” to the spoons and the pot and let it go at that. At least they’re smiling. It’s dark and wet and cold outside and here I am talking to my kitchen ware, but isn’t it nice to have a chuckle to start the day? Better than the worry in your mind when you went to bed last night or the thought of the thing you have to do today but don’t want to do.

So, have you found something in this new day that gives you pleasure, a reason to laugh? I hope so. Life is pretty grim for lots of folks, and we just need to be on the lookout for “smile potential” or even “laughter opportunities.” Here’s a hint: put yourself in a gratitude mode and it’s likely that a smile will start to form or a laugh will burst out. Genuine gratitude does that.

Try it while I go look for Virgil’s phone number.

I’ve collected lots of photos in the six weeks here in Manzanita. Opportunities are endless. And because I have so many, it’s important to go through them to eliminate duplicates and to evaluate subject matter, quality of the photos, etc. Doing that the other day, I confirmed that I am a sucker for sunsets and birds, lots of shots of both, and that in all the photos, no matter what the subject matter is, it’s the light that does it. Common things become extraordinary. Routine becomes royal. And a sunset becomes a sacred moment. All because of light. The spiritual corollary is stunning. The Christmas child, now a man, told people, “I am the light..” That life comes when we “live in the light…” That those who follow his way are “children of the light.” The light of the Bethlehem star. The healing, soothing, comforting light of Presence.

It’s the light! You’ve heard someone say, in a moment of confusion turned to understanding: “Ah, the light just came on in my mind.” Clarity, awareness, understanding, consciousness. It’s the light. And the best news of all is that when I flip that switch, when I choose to live in the light, it never goes out. Never goes away. Never disappears. Light is stronger than darkness, stronger than fear or illness or death.

Sorry, didn’t mean to start a sermon here, but this is so urgently true. By the way, while sunsets are beautiful because of light’s presence, get up early some morning and become part of a sunrise. Light overcomes darkness. May it be so for you today and in all the days ahead. 

I hummed a tune not long ago
and the sound of it took my breath away.
It came from somewhere deep inside,
perhaps from some far and distant day.
I’ve never hummed the song before,
but it seems a vital part of me,
something inherent in my bones,
a lovely song, but a mystery.

And then today, when I stood by you,
I heard you humming that melody,
the same notes that formed the beautiful song
that feeds my spirit and nourishes me.
Why are we blessed with this lovely surprise?
And why do I find it familiar, a friend?
It seems a part of my being, my soul.
When did it start? When will it end?

And then tonight, as I knelt by my bed,
I heard these words that made me weep:
You were born with the song I gave you, my child.
It is yours, my gift, for you to keep
and sing every day as a memory
of where you’ve come from, and to whom you belong,
not just to you, but to all who are mine.
This is my gift, your sacred song.

It was then it came clear what I longed to be true.
We all bear Love’s mark, given at birth.
It matters not who, nor where we may be.
We who live on this beautiful earth
bear within the same sacred song.
What if our song was shared in one voice,
in unity: “Justice and peace must thrive!”
What if we dared to make this choice?

We all share one song,
let us be of one mind
and bless the earth with singing.

Happy 2024 to you! I offer you some Random Thoughts this morning, some ideas to consider between football games (may your team win!). The thoughts are, in part, inspired by a fine book of daily readings by Mark Nepo. The title is The Book of Awakening, subtitled: “Having the life you want by being present to the life you have.” I recommend that you let each one stand on its own, even though they sound somewhat related. So, some Random Thoughts as the new year begins.

This day is absolutely unrepeatable. Say, think, do and love as if you may never have the chance again.

Love today not because of requirement or expectation but because of opportunity.

Love because you can, not because you should.

I am not a body with a spirit. I am a spirit with a body. 

I am a container full of consciousness. The container is of much less value than its contents.

I am able to love because love is inherent in who and what I am.

Wisdom is not a commodity to acquire. Wisdom is a flower to nurture until it blooms.

Knowledge is a friend of the mind. Wisdom is a companion of the heart.

Again, a happy and meaningful new year to you. Don’t waste a minute of it.

It is with deep regret, a sore throat and chest congestion that I tell you the news: I will not plunge into the Pacific Ocean tomorrow. My wife and I have invented a new method of communication. Two hacking coughs means “yes”; one hack and a wheeze means “no”. She’s got it, too. I know I made a big deal about the Polar Plunge, and I’m disappointed that I cannot line up with the other brave people and run into the ocean on January 1. But I’d like to make it to age 83 in the New Year and I feel like participating in the event, under these circumstances, does not serve that goal. That said, there must be a lesson here somewhere…I am a preacher, you know. Everything is sermon material. Ah…here it is. The lesson is about disappointments in life. You could write that one, couldn’t you. Or, it’s about unexpected changes, or it’s about caring for your body, or it’s about using common sense. Maybe my head-chest cold is a Spirit message. The angels have stopped laughing at the idea of an old man walking into the frigid ocean in the middle of winter and decided to bless me with a bad cold. (That’s really not what I think, by the way. Not my theology.) Anyway, to those of you who sent early congratulations and to those of you who were preparing condolence notes, thanks for your kind and supportive thoughts. When I am fully recovered I’ll take a cold shower just to have the feeling my neighbors will experience tomorrow. 

Disappointments are really disappointing, aren’t they. We look forward to a trip, a family event, some new adventure and just about the time to get the suitcases out, something happens and it’s all off. Sue and I had planned the first and only cruise we will take in our lives…Spain and Portugal…and along came Covid. It happens, doesn’t it. And it’s very normal to be sad about unexpected circumstances that change your life. (Here comes the lesson.) But don’t scream at your spouse or kick the dog or throw the garbage can across the back yard. Be sad, get over it, and move on. There are more important things to cry about than not being able to take the Plunge tomorrow. Don’t worry, I’ll get over it. This could make a sermon. Now all I need are scripture verses, a couple of hymns, and here we go! Sorry. I forgot. I’m retired. By the way, Happy New Year!

They dropped by for a visit yesterday, all thirty of them. They lounged in the yard, nibbled some green, juicy plants, then, politely but deliberately, wandered off into the forest. It was a casual visit. Nothing formal.

Elk are magnificent animals. Big, very big. Docile unless threatened. Curious. Surprisingly graceful for their size. The only negative thing one might say about them is the quality of their bellowing. It’s rather like someone drawing their fingernails across the chalkboard.

I’m told they circled the neighborhood saying hello here and there, and receiving the curious attention of local residents. The herd lives somewhere nearby and appears periodically to check on their land. Yes, their land. They roamed it long before we moved in. So, yesterday they were taking a look at how we are caring for their property. Not to worry, friends. We have developed a system of interaction with the earth. We buy it, build apartments on it, declare bankruptcy, blow it up and start over again. We’re good at it. Thanks for stopping by. 

I look into the pre-dawn darkness, God, and all I see is my own reflection in the window glass. But I will wait for the dawn, for I cannot make my way through the day without light and Light. There are times when I would like to turn on your immediate presence, like a light switch on the wall, but I realize there is meaning in the waiting, at least there can be if I allow it. In that meantime, I will sit here before the dancing flames in the fireplace, and I will enjoy their spontaneity, their reminder of the joy of faith’s dance with you. And with the coming of light, as shapes and forms appear from the diminishing darkness, I will raise my arms in welcome and I will say in my heart: Here is Light!

It is so, Christ of God. It is so. Amen.