I read Jesus Calling at the end of each day, unless, of course, I am exhausted and fall into bed hardly able to keep my eyes open.  A few nights ago, I read this meditation: I am the God of all time and all that is.  Seek me not only in morning quietness but consistently throughout the day.  Do not let unexpected problems distract you from My Presence.  Instead, talk with Me about everything, and watch confidently what I will do. The post goes on to say anxiety should not interrupt our communion with the Divine. I have gotten a bit better at turning to God faster when I feel am distracted.

The Trinity can appear in all sorts of ways, gently nudging us back towards peace and love. I am grateful.  Today I found myself more about something and giving thanks.  I crawled into bed this afternoon for a nap and awoke with a headache.  This is something new for me which irritates me.  I have learned to take an Ibuprofen and carry on. My symptoms are growing and I sense that I might finally need some medical intervention with pain control in the near future.  These will be the moments that I will need to seek the Holy One.

Last night I spent an evening with my brother making memories.  We had a lovely dinner and then went to see a fantastic musical afterwards.  As we were leaving the venue, stuck in the traffic of patrons, I felt a wave of nausea. This was a new encounter of sorts; I usually only have such feelings in the morning and I have not for a couple of months now.  I popped a stick of gum in my mouth and felt better.  I remembered to pray much later and lift up a prayer of gratitude. This is a humbling reminder of how distractions can win sometimes.

I had friends in from the coast the other night and it was lovely to visit with them.  One stayed over and helped me do some decluttering and cleaning which was a God-send.  I am beginning to feel a bit more organized in baby steps. I appreciate my friend wanting to help me out in a concrete manner.  Since she has left, I think of her every time I open my fridge and see how clean and manageable it now is. In the middle of her visit her brother, who is also a friend of mine, placed a video call to us. I smile typing this, as I know I give thanks often for the kindnesses that are bestowed upon me.

God is in all things…the good, the bad, and the ugly. We are not alone in any moment of our lives.  God is there, in the joy, the pain, and the mundane. God is ever-present to us.  God of all time reassures us that we are never alone, whatever we experience.  I have been thinking about the events of Virginia in this vein too.  As I have watched the horrific hatred vomited by the White Supremacists, Neo-Nazis, and other groups, a chill comes over me. What is happening in our world today? Tonight’s news story of a vehicle careening down La Rambla in Spain killing tourists was heart-wrenching.   I was there just last year with a friend of mine. What sadness this news caused me. How can people hate other people so much?

Yet God must be having a déjà vu moment.  Fifty some years ago, the KKK  appeared in public places, creating havoc and fear. I am sure that God weeps remembering the numerous times throughout our history that we have chosen not to love one another.   God has seen it all, from the beginning of time. While God never tires of our love for one another, I wonder how God feels watching us hate one another. This hatred grows in families, communities,  cities, and countries until the world is no longer safe. Those of us who believe in love must now act in love.  This is not a time to hate back. This is the time to show people that love wins. This is the time to look for God, to turn to the Trinity,  and to seek the Creator in the morning silence and in evening clamour.  Do not let the distractions of hatred steal your peace.   Now is the time to watch carefully  and confidently what the Holy One will do.

Peace,

Suzanne

 Reflection Questions 

Do you believe that God is present to you each moment of your life?

How have the recent acts of hatred in our world affected you?

Prayer

God of All Time, you know how the script begins and ends. You have witnessed since the beginning of the world our hatred and our love for one another.  In our friendships, you are there. You send earth angels to be with us and to minister to us.  On the world stage, when hatred and fear threaten to destroy the very fabric of our society, you show us that love wins. Give us the courage and strength to be people of love and not hate. Amen.