Featured Post

NEW DIRECTION; OLD PATHS...

This blog has been evolved several times since its inception. It started as a platform for a writer's musings Then it became a witne...

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Angel of Faith

I saw my faith today. And I didn’t help him; didn’t ask what he needed – I just shooed him away.

I saw my faith today and I dreamt about him last night. In my vision he was strong and confident, handsome and smiling at me. He was sitting on a bench as if waiting for the bus. I smiled and said hello. And when I turned again to point him out he had gone away.

I saw my faith today and I know it was him. In my lament the day before I had asked to see my faith just as Jesus had seen from those he’d healed. It was not ironic that he should appear today when I’d only just asked of him yesterday.

I saw my faith today and I didn’t even recognize him until it was too late.

He laid on my lawn, face to the fence, disheveled and a bit mismatched. Glasses covered his eyes from the light but not any light that shined from me. I told him my lawn was not the place to be. “Ok,” he said. “Ok?” I asked. “Yes, I’m Ok,” he replied and still I let my light hide.

I saw my faith today and regretted I’d left him once I got about a block away. I turned to return and ask how I could help or ask of his need. But when I was back my faith was nowhere to be seen.

I saw my faith today and I know it was him. I had asked to see where my faith lacked, and when I had the chance I forgot to ask and it was too late by the time I came back.

I saw my faith today and if he was just a bum, I met him not with love but instead with fear. I didn’t even ask of God to listen to what He would have me hear.

I saw my faith today and treated him with disgrace. If compassion had prevailed I would have treated him with God's sufficient grace.

I saw my faith today and gave him no compassion for his strength. My faith is weak and wanting and my fear keeps him from growing and showing what he’s capable of. I canceled his chance to do what he could, if I would have just show a little bit of love.

I saw my faith today and in my fear, I didn’t listen and couldn’t hear. And when I could have helped; could have given him increase, instead I sent him away.

Dear Faith, come back and if you will, with compassion I will generously add to your lack. And if I see my faith again someday – oh, Faith – Dear Faith, I pray; next time I’ll not send you away.

No comments:

This is a stationary post.

Destiny's Journey


Some journeys are well traveled roads. Common, familiar and easy. We cruise along the path oblivious to the process as we habitually turn each corner, climb each hill and break each slope. Only to arrive, blink and wonder how we managed without incident or memory of the trip.

This journey - my journey - is not like that. This journey is one of reluctance, hesitance, unsurity, insecurity and yes, a moderate amount of fear.

As I open the window for you to view my progress, you will undoubtedly come to your own conclusion based upon the progress of your own journey - and your observations will be varied.

Some might say that I am making slow but steady progress toward a clear destination. Others may say that I am floundering and wandering aimlessly down a muddy road with too many directions to choose from.

I say my journey has just begun, although it started more than 10 years ago. I say I still have such a long, long way to go, although I am teetering on the precipice of completion. I say the journey has made me weary, leery and weak, although I trudge on with a strength and endurance that is beyond me. I say the path is muddy, with many obstacles, directions and difficulties still yet to come. However, my destination is clear - crazy, unimaginable, overwhelming and clear.

When this path first appeared it was like a hazy, dirt road on a foggy day. I peered at it without knowing what it was or where it was going - then tried to ignore it as inconsequential. When the path persisted I joked as to where it might lead, then still tried to dismiss it as a path not meant for me.

It was years before the view of the path cleared and I was able to see the destination more clearly. It was absurd to think that the reality of where this path could end up would be in a place far more outlandish than even my most absurd imaginings! OK, maybe - just maybe this path ended up in a very good place - but a place still not meant for me. Definitely not me.

Why not me? Who else but me, since I was the only one to see? Please, Dear God, not me! Yes, me. This path was meant for me.

And so I watched it, argued with it, denied it and tried to imagine a life without pursuing it.

Four - no five, has it already been five? Five years ago I accepted it. I stuck out a big toe like testing the cold water of a pool - then yanked my foot back like I so often would. I wrote about it, dreamed about it, and tried it on for size in the privacy of my dressing room of life. And by the way, I still watched it, argued with it, denied it and tried to imagine a life without pursuing it.

Three - sorry, I forgot - Four years ago I made up my mind. I packed my bags, said good bye to the sanity and sanctuary of friends and family who always had thought they understood me, and I took my first hesitant and frightened step.

In these last four years I have walked, sometimes trotted, but never quite run toward a goal I think is crazy. I have stopped, I have even sat down and I have wistfully looked back to a time when I did not know and could not see what was meant for me.

But I will not stop. I packed my bags (all my baggage), and made up my mind. Armed with nothing but 2 scriptures and a great deal of hope, I continue to trudge on driven by the surity that if - just if - I happen to arrive at this awesome, fearsome destination, it will be extraordinary, phenomenal and inconceivably wonderful. This destination...

A destination, a journey to a place that is called destiny. My destiny. Destiny's purpose in life. My God given purpose.

Sometimes while we travel, we see another driver, glance in that direction and never take note or give them another thought. Perhaps that is how you will see me.

Sometimes we see another traveler and something catches our eye. We may watch a moment, muse a moment or even briefly wonder... Then they continue on their own separate way and thoughts of them fade as quickly as they do. Perhaps that will be how you see me.

Other times we get caught in traffic, bunched up with drivers because of fate. And whether we cruise along peacefully or struggle with road rage, we share a community of progress, each with our own destination. Perhaps that will be how you experience me.

And on rare occasion on our own individual roads of life, we travel a path where we encounter another driver - seemingly traveling to the same basic place. At times they follow us and then we follow them. We may take note of who they are and what they drive - possibly even read a licence plate. We'll share a moment or even a long while - silently and separately together, with maybe a glance, a smile or a brief a wave of acknowledgement. Perhaps that will be how you experience me.

I cannot say how long this path will be for me, so whether you glance and move on - never to take notice; or whether you wonder a moment at who I am and where I'm going; or whether you follow a while, smile and wave or better yet, if you decide to stay for the journey, I invite you to come along for the ride.

***
Please click on the "Stuff From Before" link to Destiny's Journey to make your comments.