Such a season of renewal!
Spring offers so many ways to remind of the blessings of life. Watching the return of the lawn from beneath the snowy blanket; watching the busy activity of the many creatures who must be celebrating winter’s withdrawal; watching the bulbs resiliently pushing their way up through warming soil… so many ways to be reminded of the opportunities in Spring.
We mustn’t forget the amazing examples we have had over the course of human history to teach us about our promise as strong and determined people. Nations have recovered after terrible losses inflicted in War. People who have suffered immense challenges have chosen and fought to live and love despite their amazing struggles. Communities have rallied to re-claim their neighbourhoods and proudly walk with heads held high and backs straight and strong.
Whatever your faith, there have been amazing examples of how to live life. Examples of how to serve others, how to suffer with grace, how to be one person in a world of many, and how to leave a place better than it was when we arrived.
Since September 2010 I have been fortunate to have had time to focus on regaining my strength (both physically and emotionally). I have also grown each day closer and closer to understanding who I am, why I survived and what I am going to do next.
If I were to write you a story to talk about the challenge of this experience it would go something like this:
“Once upon a time there was a small girl standing at the edge of a huge ocean… She had washed up on the beach some time ago and had rested enough to be able to stand and consider what she should do next.
She felt grateful that she had survived and felt hopeful that her life was meant to contribute something to the world – her work must not yet be done.
She looked out at the broad and vast horizon. In front of her, the horizon stretched over the ever-changing, mesmerizing blue sea as far as her eyes could see. Overwhelmed, she turned to her right. She saw the beautiful stretch of sandy beach and the beginning of land.
The strong land grew out of that beach and as she looked further right she saw that the grass and hills and mountains in the distance offered a million possible paths, each travelling toward a different part of the same horizon. She looked further and further to her right, wheeling around on her heels, feeling more desperate to find her next path.
Having made a full circle seeking an indication of where she was meant to go, she was still no further ahead.
She felt totally alone and overwhelmed by the importance of making the right decision about which direction she should choose to set out.
So she closed her eyes, breathed deeply and prayed. ‘Lord, I am lost. I cannot walk on water and I cannot fly. But I will do anything you ask me to do.’
She immediately felt a warm, familiar presence. She knew He was busy, had many to help and she wanted to help Him too, so she quickly asked, ‘Please Lord, tell me: Do you want me to head out over the seas? Do you want me to walk along the beach? Should I walk up into the meadow and beyond the hills?’
The Lord looked down at her with infinite patience and whispered to her His answer before He turned His attention to others… ‘Yes.’
She sat there patiently hoping that there would be more guidance but none came.
The sun set and she watched the tide ebb and the beach grow and she eventually fell asleep feeling almost paralyzed with fear of not choosing the right path.
When she woke up she saw an angel sitting facing her on the sandy beach. She didn’t feel the need to ask them who they are or why they were there. She knew those answers.
Letting her wake fully, the angel waited before asking her: ‘Why are we still here?’
She sighed feeling like a failure and a disappointment and said ‘I’m not sure – I think I’m just too afraid to make a mistake and waste the rest of my life in the wrong place.’
‘Well what is it that you want to do?’
‘I want to live a life to be proud of, help others who need help and leave this place better than I found it.’
Nodding, the angel asked, ‘Which people and which place?’
‘Anyone… everyone and anywhere I go.’
‘Well if that is your goal, how can you go the wrong way?’
She looked down at the sand and smiled softly. Taking a deep breath and got up brushing sand off of herself and she set out. ‘You’re right,’ she said.
She walked and walked and walked. The angel went with her in silence; calmly by her side. Finally she said to the angel, ‘Why did God not tell me that? I had a problem and I called out to Him feeling lost and alone.’
The angel nodded again, understanding her frustration, but said, ‘First of all, I think He did answer your questions and the answer to all of them was ‘Yes’ – I think He was sure you would go the right way.’
They continued to walk in silence. Then the angel added, *’When God solves your problems you have faith in His abilities.’ She nodded. ‘When He does not solve your problems I guess He has faith in your abilities.’*
She stopped walking and stared at the angel. The angel made a small wave and disappeared in a vapor on the breeze.
She took a deep breath, set her eye on the horizon and she walked on.
~ JSVM
[ * Credit to the angel who once upon a time came to my bedside and told me *those words inside the asterisks above* when I most needed to hear them.]
Friends, worry not. You are exactly where you are meant to be at this very moment. You will know when it’s time to get up and walk on.
Happy Easter to you all and I wish you a wonderful spring resurrection.
Be well,
Jen
