There she was, perched on the fence as I drove by.
She looked so peaceful.
I hadn’t noticed her before though I’m sure she was there when I had driven by that place, many times before. She was a welcome respite in a day seemingly empty of peace.
Images of peace are welcome, all the time, but particularly days such as these, where politics scream at us in the news, conversations, social media causing sleepless nights and stress-beyond-stress.
Miss Cat-Perched-On-A-Fence “spoke” to me and I realized that my walks had had no focus so that day I made a decision. No longer would I wait for something to attract my attention on my walks and drives. I would intentionally ‘focus’ and “look for” images of peace
Where have you seen images of peace? What have been those images of peace? When did you last experience/see/hear something that brought a deep sense of abiding peace? When did you last experience someone who brought a deep sense of peace?
Was the sense of peace in a conversation? in the experience of Nature’s wonder? Was it in a phrase you read or heard?
For me that day, it was a four-legged feline beauty, perched on a fence, doing nothing, other than simply be-ing and in doing so, she radiated peace for me.
Thank you little one, for blessing my day in a way I wasn’t expecting and for reminding me that there are unexpected blessings around us every day, when we open our eyes and ears and hearts to see hear and feel them.
It’s difficult to be grateful ~ when going through a difficult time personally; ~ when politics seem to occupy the attention of news and social media; ~ when phones become a barrier to conversations between parents and children, between friends and are even a safety hazard as people walk across streets texting, eyes focused down rather than up and looking around to make certain it is safe to cross the street; ~ when health issues are frightening and compounded by financial costs for the medical care; ~ when you believed what someone told you only to realize the words and promises were lies and you/your family/country will pay dearly for believing in that person.
But when gratitude fills our hearts and minds, it fills our souls and we are changed. How?
Look closely at the this lovely piece of art by calligrapher and teacher Gerry Jackson Kerdok. When I saw this particular work of hers, it deeply touched my spirit. Look at the creative interplay of the “U” and “D” which form the shape of a heart … a gentle reminder of the importance of gratitude in our lives.
The artist – often overlooked, unappreciated, forgotten. May we join in gratitude for the artists in our world artists who can create magic with pen and ink, watercolour or acrylic or oil, wood carving knife, video camera, cell phone camera, flowers, fabric, food, music, dance, digital camera, writing, drama and the list goes on.
How impoverished our world would be without artists and without the finest Artist of all – the Creator of the Universe.
Feeling self-confident or not, she stood before Goliath using the ‘sling and stones’ of word, of gentle voice, of eye-to-eye contact.
Her sermon has been shared countless times. Her words have been quoted and debated and thousands upon thousands have heard words of hope through her.
Like David, she taught Goliath an important lesson: Never underestimate the power of God however that happens even if even if and maybe even if and especially through a woman.
********** May God bless Bishop Budde. May she continue to listen to God’s still, silent voice within. And may she, her family, staff, and people she serves be protected from physical harm, emotional distress, and spiritual dis-ease. Amen. So be it. Amen.
I will never forget the conversation. “You are so lucky to be a Canadian and living in Canada. We are terrified of what will happen with our country if Obama doesn’t get into the White House.”
The fear expressed at the time was palpable. I could feel it!
That was then. This is now. And today, another Presidential Inauguration.
This time, the fear is beyond palpable in the United States. It has spread far beyond the borders of the United States.
The world is watching and hopefully remembering a man who swayed the masses into believing that he … and only he … could make their country great again. He didn’t the first time. He won’t this time.
While the world seemed void of hope – then and the world seems void of hope – now nature and history provide Conduits of Hope: flowers growing in the desert … in cement … along a wooden fence Rosa Parks … Malala … Barack Obama and his election – twice! … Bishop Budde …
Strong reminders of tenacity, courage and hope.
Conduits of hope ARE around us.
May we look for Conduits of Hope.
May we see Conduits of Hope.
May we believe in Conduits of Hope.
May we be Conduits of Hope.
Photo: Laura Hope – Unsplash – used with permission
January 20, 2025 is Inauguration Day in the United States. It is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
It is not a co-incidence that the two are happening on the same day this year.
While it is true that what is coming is darkness, it is also true, as Martin Luther King Jr reminded us, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
Light. Love. Hope!
Light can drive out darkness! Love can drive out hate!
Let us not lose sight of the hope that is is Light and Love.
