A Great Parking Space

I was in a hurry.  It happens all the time – rushing here and there without enough time to get everything done. But it has always struck me as weird that the more I rush, the more obstacles I seem to face.  Maybe it just happens to me or maybe it happens to everybody:

• Running out of time, you turn the corner and find a road-block.  Yes sometimes actual road closures, detours or stand-still traffic.  
• You’re stopped by one red light after another after another.  Can I get a break here!!?
• You choose a checkout lane because there is one person in front of you and she has only a few items. Well, it turns out that she’s got coupons but some are expired, she demands that the clerk call some department or another because one of those items was supposed to be on sale and of course, she doesn’t have enough cash but can’t get the credit card terminal to work.   
• The never-stops-talking-neighbor decides that this is a good time to discuss something serious.  
• The boss decides that even though it’s the end of the day, this would be a good time for a ‘quick’ meeting.  

But, who are You?

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name…

My eyes are closed, my breathing shallow and slow.  These words have been on my tongue and in my mind ten thousand times.  Today, as I voice this prayer, I try to picture You.

You are I AM.  You are before time, before heat and cold, before wet and dry, before clamoring and silence and even before physical and spiritual.

You are I AM – but who are You?  Should I see you as a swirling mist of goodness and love?   Do You occupy space – or are You space?

Reflection Required

What time is it?
1830 hours.

How far is it to Rochester, Minnesota from Cincinnati?
1,022 km

How are you?
Bien.

Fix Your Eyes

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3


Paralyzed
Helen sighed. “Remember what I told you about the American creed. We can’t focus on everything that’s wrong with the world that we can’t fix, everything we failed to do right. You’d be paralyzed with indecision and do nothing worthwhile with your life. That would be a shame, Jess. A waste. The good will outweigh the bad. You have so much yet to accomplish.” Fatal Distraction, Diane Capri

Not Easy
If he said no, then nothing he'd ever done for her would matter. Those were just little things. Easy things. If it was easy for him, if it didn't take something from him, then it didn't matter. Not really. This mattered.
(After years of being generous to this woman, he is now being asked to sign power of attorney thereby taking custody for a troubled teen girl as her caretaker, her grandmother lies dying of cancer) The Gray And Guilty Sea by Scott William Carter.