Life can change in the blink of an eye . . .
A good friend of mine had a stroke last Sunday. One minute he was out for breakfast with some friends and the next minute, when he was saying his farewells, his speech became garbled. Fortunately for him one friend had lingered and noticing the changed speech, took him to the nearest hospital immediately and doctors were able to prevent permanent damage. However, for three days he was unable to communicate. For those three days friends sat by his bed to console him and those who weren’t there, were praying from afar. For three days neither my friend nor any one else could guess if life, as he had known it, was over.
Life has its own way of unfolding, regardless of who we are or where we are. That’s the lesson here. We can’t stop the events that are “scheduled,” but we can meet them in the best possible spiritual condition. We can learn to accept what is and seek the guidance that will move us through the experience as peacefully as possible.
The God of our understanding has the answers to the questions we may have. All the answers. He has the “comforting arms” we yearn for too. We aren’t alone. Ever. Regardless of what has befallen us.
To stop and appreciate every single moment of our lives is the underlying message here. We pass too easily, too mindlessly, too swiftly through the day; barely noticing the people we pass, occasionally we even pay little heed to the ones we interact with, for sure the children or the animals at play get easily ignored. The trees swaying in the breeze, like those outside my windows presently, also need our attention; my attention. I listen for a moment and then look away. I’m neglecting the beauty all around me. God’s beauty.
I am suggesting we listen, and then listen some more. I’m suggesting we look and then look again. I’m suggesting we acknowledge those who have been sent to us. And any one who wanders our way has been sent. I’m sure of it.
I’m choosing to believe there are important messages tucked away in the breezes, in the interactions with others, in the laughter or cries of children. At least I am going to believe that’s the case and rest awhile, in this moment, while being serenaded by the world around me. The birds singing and the laughter of the children throughout our neighborhoods are songs “written” especially for us, if we care to believe it. Cultivating this mind set can change how we see and “hear” the world. It’s not too late. And let’s remember, life, as we know it, can change in the blink of an eye.
