Shining Spirit

Creation is stunning!

News Flash: The most unusual thing happened today in the village of Bethlehem. A baby was born to a Nazareth couple and the event caused such an uproar that Bethlehem officials found it necessary to close down streets in order to control big crowds. In the late morning, within hours of the birth of a baby boy, an entourage from the East arrived bearing expensive gifts. One of the distinguished visitors said the traveling group had followed a bright star for weeks until it finally stopped over the place where the child was born. This reporter has never seen nor heard of that phenomenon before. Another surprise was the appearance of field shepherds, groups of them, who reported a large cluster of angels in the sky. These angels were instrumental, they reported, in publicizing this otherwise common event. Who the parents are remains a mystery. They do not appear to be wealthy, but it may be significant that when the spectators passed close to the straw bed where the baby slept, they bowed or knelt as if before royalty. If you plan to visit the village, I recommend making overnight plans in one of the neighboring villages since there are no vacant rooms here. No other birth has ever attracted public crowds like the birth of this boy child. Perhaps he is someone great. Surely time will tell. Stay tuned for further developments.

Today may be a walk in the park. Or, it might be climbing a mountain. If not today, then tomorrow or tomorrow. May I remind you of a basic principle of mountain hiking? Never go alone. At least, don’t go alone on those really challenging, often dangerous, trails. I speak from experience, and I promise you it’s no fun getting lost on a rugged trail, running out of water and having to cut through thorny bushes in hiking shorts. So, I say again: never go alone when the going is tough. You need a friend, an experienced opinion, resource, guide, encourager, maybe even a strong back to carry the load, maybe even to carry you if it comes to that. A twisted ankle or a tumble into that cholla cactus can ruin a good hike. It’s nice to have someone with you who can get those cholla needles on your backside.

So the point is this: Never go hiking alone in rugged mountains or on any challenging path. Likewise, don’t try to go it alone when you have to make hard decisions, when fear or sorrow move in, or when you simply “don’t know what to do.” A good friend is an encourager, a steady hand, and a source of wisdom. Good friends are blessings along your way, especially when the way is rocky.

The other day I thought to myself, “who can I invite to go hiking with me next Saturday?” I know lots of people who like to take on a rocky trail. So, I went to my Contacts app, tapped it gently, and it opened to the letter “J”. A name beginning with “J”. Hmm.

Amazing what the sun can do, isn’t it? Example: transform this very ordinary cactus into an art gallery exhibit. At any other hour of the day, it stands in the category of “ordinary.” But once the sun touches it,
it glows. Change the “u” to an “o” and be reminded of what you already know…even the most ordinary, when bathed in Light, becomes and becomes and becomes. The faith taught and demonstrated by Jesus is one of constant becoming. Becoming began in Bethlehem long ago, but it continues right here where I am and exactly where you are at this moment. You are Becoming! We are Becoming! There is a pathway of curious hope leading to Bethlehem, and a pathway of Becoming leading out. Dare to walk it. Follow the Way. Allow the sun to shine on you and the Son to shine through you. Become what you are!

Colors in this season of the year can be stunning.
What a gift to the eye and the soul!
And when there is a reflection, the beauty is doubled.
A shame, isn’t it, that sometimes beauty is treated
with passing curiosity, not experienced as an
encounter with the Sacred. Today I will see
beauty…will I reflect it? Yes, that’s the question?
That’s always the question.

Creative thinking saw the future.
Hard work got us there.
Imaginations painted possibilities.
Honest labor changed possibility
to probability to reality.
Strong hands and backs pushed
those cars. Their sweat watered
the dreams that grew into bridges
and buildings, the ones we enjoy today.

Creator and Companion, I am very
grateful for the hard work of thousands
of anonymous women and men whose
efforts touch my life right now. Help
me remember and advocate for ethics
and honor in all who assign the work
and in all who do it. May it be so. Amen.