Monday, September 13, 2010

Dear God,

I took a look inside a simple mystery today.

I was asked to conduct a memorial service for a friend's mother so I had to fly back to Indiana. I got up at 4:00 a.m. and flew out at 6:00 a.m. It was during the dark early morning hours that the peek into heaven's secret began.

I have always been intrigued by the contrast of two things like darkness and light or hope and hopelessness. I have even pondered the gift of each and how they point to you. But today's insight came not from one or the other but rather from what is between them, the process of transition and transformation.

As I boarded the plane and took my seat, I watched out the window as the darkness began its change. At first the night skies were black with an occasional white shining star piercing the darkness and then the first signs of dawn appeared as the skies began to show signs of light. Within a half hour an orange glow rose just above the horizon and then the full sun's rays reached upward and outward. Within a matter of minutes the darkness became the light.

All throughout the hectic day, I viewed the process of transition and transformation. For one I observed the rapid change occur between sadness and happiness as two women shared memories of their deceased mother. I thought of the journey their mother took on her way to transformation. At one point I was privileged to experience a piece of that when I baptized her in her hospital bed.

At day's end when the light reversed its direction once again I came to the realization that a bridge of trust exists when a shift begins to take place. Like in the movie The Last Crusade we have to step out into thin air where it appears nothing exists and walk. Only then does the bridge materialize and we are able to move forward.

So often,
dear God,
I fail
to appreciate
the in-between times.
I want
to be
on the
other side
of something,
especially pain
or sorrow
or disappointment.
I don't relish
the pilgrimage
getting there;
yet,
something marvelous happens
when I pause
to consider
the journey forward,
when I
with intentionality
take your hand,
giving thanks
and step
into your future
with me,
the transition
into thanksgiving.

Love always, Andrea