Shining Spirit

Everybody deserves a second chance,
maybe even more. My friend Charlie never
imagined he would ever snuggle on a soft
mat in front of a warm fireplace. Just wasn’t
in the cards, at least not in the ones dealt to him.
His early months were not easy…foster homes and
disappointments. Really tough to feel unwanted.
But one day, maybe when things were really looking
bleak, along came two people who saw something
in Charlie that no one else had noticed. Possibility.
Rough around the edges, yes. But possibility.

The key was to allow Charlie to be who he is,
a playful child, an explosion of energy, but
to help him, over time, become who he
can be, a trusted and appreciated friend.
Not a particularly easy project now, but well
worth the effort. Possibility has a way of
becoming reality. It’s called being given
a chance to grow up, to grow up into
the fine adult he will become one day,
a transformation built on consistent caring,
time invested, applause and instruction,
not giving up and not giving in,
respect and realistic expectation.

We know, don’t we, that not all the
Charlies in our communities
have four legs? Don’t we?

When I first saw this remarkable place, I thought to myself: what is real and what is reflection? Sometimes it’s difficult to distinguish between the two. And that’s why, for me, it’s important to remember the word: discernment. I sat on the river’s edge for several minutes before the two dimensions separated and it became clear which was still water and which was the real tree. Discerning means no taking part in quick, snap decisions. No major life choices without the pondering. And discernment is a spiritual practice, also. Sitting on the river bank wasn’t such a big deal. It was lovely and emotionally moving, but of no particular life value. I thought of the moment as a gift. Maybe it would be wise to have this same attitude…the moment is a gift. And for the gift, we say thank you and we treat each major decision in our lives as a spiritual quest for truth which guides us toward an answer or solution consistent with our Christian faith.

Enjoy the surprises when they pop into your life. But when the major decisions come along, take time to listen to both your heart and your mind. Don’t hurry. Sit with the Spirit. Discern.

This didn’t happen yesterday.
Over many centuries, time and the living
planet produced splendid art. I am
thankful for wind and rain and all the
other features of the environment that have
worked together to reveal this
breathtaking wonder.
When the soil is stripped away,
this is the result. The very stones of
the earth demonstrate the glory of creation.
When the soil is removed, the foundational
structure of our planet home is made
visible. To those who have eyes to see
beyond mere rocks to magnificent
reality, the only possible utterance is
Thank You!

Sometimes it’s really hard to be a good neighbor!
The bird next door sticks his beak into my
business, won’t tidy up the seed husks he
drops everywhere. He even tries to take
what doesn’t belong to him…like the seeds in
MY feeder. Some neighbor!

He went one feather too far yesterday and
we ended up beak to beak. It wasn’t pleasant
and I’m not proud of that moment, but he’s
got to live by our neighborhood bird covenants.
Right? Don’t you agree?

When he measures up to my standards,
I’ll consider being his friend and sharing my
seeds. Just after we’d gone beak to beak,
a human creature sat under that umbrella and
read from a book: “Love your neighbor as yourself”
“Share what you have with those in need”

Those creatures have some strange ideas.
Do you think those notions would ever work?

How long I have sought a sacred place,
a refuge and source of renewal,
a retreat from life’s unyielding pace,
demanding and tragically cruel.

I’ve climbed to the tops of ragged peaks,
explored many ancient sites,
but nothing has brought the peace I seek,
nothing gives my heart delight.

And then on the pages of a battered old book
wrapped in a tattered fleece,
I found the map my father took
when he sought this elusive peace.

Not really a map, but a cluster of words
describing the way to my goal,
transforming words I had never heard,
a message that touched my soul.

“You will never find the peace you crave
by searching across the earth.
To find the treasure you must be brave.
It’s been with you since your birth.

“What you seek is not on a mountain top,
nor in some foreign place.
All you must do is merely stop
and look to an inner space.

“There is, inherent, within humankind,
for those whose hearts are bold,
a place in which to seek and find
The Island of Life in your soul.”

So, turn away from the outward quest.
The answer lies deep within.
A place of solitude and rest,
The Island where life begins.

Little, common sparrows don’t rank very high on the “most impressive bird list.” They lack the color of the Robin, the song of the Mockingbird, the speed of the Falcon, the impressive size of the Eagle, and yet, when you get to know one,
you discover all sorts of interesting things. Like, sparrows are quick and very nimble. They sing a very nice song, one particularly suited for the sparrow community. Sparrows like to hop instead of run…who likes to run! So I’m sending around a petition that demands that sparrows be included in all considerations for the Most Impressive Bird award of 2021. I hope you will look favorably upon the uncommonly common sparrow.

What would this world be like if it produced only Woodpeckers, only Grackles, only Buzzards? Sparrows prove the point that sometimes pretty powerful things are wrapped in rather common exteriors. I’d like to be the first person
on this Saturday morning to endorse the sparrow as the replacement for the American Eagle, should that ever become a necessity. But until that special recognition day, say “good morning” to the sparrows you pass. Treat them with dignity and appreciation. Drop a few breadcrumbs along the pathway, and remember these wonderful little creatures in your prayers of thanksgiving. Consider each a winged presence of the Creative Mystery.

And some people don’t think diversity is a good thing! Perhaps the plant world is the best place to see the mystery and magic of diversity. It is a gold mine of creativity. The loss of any one of these spectacular creations chips away an important piece of life. Of course, all of this could be said about the human race, too. Today, Lord, I will chance upon a remarkable example of divine diversity contained within a plant…or a person. I pray that my eyes will see, my heart experience, and my mouth express sincere gratitude. Amen.