Reflection contributed by SFX parishioner, Joe Hardesty
I can come to you in many forms. You see me in the trees of the forest, the plump blueberries on the bush. You see me in the stillness of a cold winter’s night and certainly in the giggle of a mischievous four-year old. Last night, Joe, I came to you in the form of a dream. And why not? I am who I am.
In this dream, I see you as a very large rock – a boulder if you will, resting in the center of a wide flowing stream and all I want you to do is just be. You are not to do anything. Being a huge rock you can’t do anything – other than just be. That’s it. Just be still!
Soon you will see people floating toward you and then, in time, past you. They will be laughing and splashing each other and everyone is having a grand time together. They may notice you – they may even splash you, but they may not notice you but that’s alright. The water continues to flow around you, the sun keeps you warm and dry. Everything is good…, life is good!
Before long you will see others flouting toward you. These folks, older and wiser, will stop and bringing a basket, will climb on top of you and have a picnic. They will read poetry to each other, use you as a diving platform and after playing for a while, they may even take a nap in the afternoon sun. Inevitably, these wonderful children of mine will, like the others, move on with their lives. They have other places to go and other rocks to visit. All is well in the world and we are together – what can be better?
Life, as you know, isn’t always easy however. You know that and after days of rain the stream you are in is running fast and furious. Be still! Be alert!! Then you see one then two then dozens of people floating in your direction. These people are not in a canoe or on a raft. These people have no picnic basket or blankets or books of poetry to sustain their bodies or minds. These people are cut or bruised and bleeding, indeed, some are hard to recognize as my children but you don’t turn away.
These people are absolutely exhausted and terrified. They are quite literally within a breath of leaving this world but some will live because you agreed to do as I say and just be. You are just what they needed most. With their last ounce of strength they climb onto you and collapse. They were lost but were saved and in the most profound way they are eternally grateful, as I am, for what you are – and you didn’t have to do anything!
The world is a beautiful place – You don’t have to do anything. Just be.
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