Saturday, November 14, 2015

Day #683

November 14, 2015

On the 14th day of November, I am thankful for…
The words of Anne Lamott: “Grace always does bat last, and the light always overcomes the darkness--always, historically. But not necessarily later the same day, or tomorrow, after lunch. Wendell Berry told me 25 years ago, in Advent, the darkest shortest days of winter, “It gets darker and darker and darker, and then Jesus is born.” But it is only November 13! It gets even darker.” She goes on to say: “So after an appropriate time of being stunned, in despair, we show up. Maybe we ask God for help. We do the next right thing. We buy or cook a bunch of food for the local homeless. We return phone calls, library books, smiles. We make eye contact with others, and we go to the market and flirt with old or scary unusual people who seem lonely. Tom Weston taught me decades ago that in the face of human tragedy, we go around the neighborhood and pick up litter, even though there will be more tomorrow. It is another blessed sacrament. We take the action and the insight will follow: that we are basically powerless, but we are not helpless.” I am thankful that folks like Anne Lamott can say the thoughts in my mind with words that help me have hope in the midst of darkness - for France, certainly, but really for all parts of the world where people live with fear and uncertainty. Lord, have mercy, we cry - and the Lord does! 
Celebrating one year since we arrived in this city. What a wonderful first year! 
An unexpected "just thinking of you" phone call from a mentor/pastor/friend!
Blessings.

No comments:

Post a Comment