Mary: Things have been very interesting the past few days. I am seeing that everything is working together in perfect order, even if it doesn’t look like it in the moment. The drywallers came on Tuesday instead of Monday. Because of this delay, Monday afternoon we went with Sharyn to Home Depot to purchase the things needed for the renovation. We found everything we needed and then some. It was really perfect because when the drywallers came on Tuesday, they needed the medicine cabinets we bought on Monday. Synchronistically, the electricians also came on Tuesday morning because we had called them to do some work we thought was unrelated to what the drywallers would be doing. As it turned out, they were needed to team up with the drywallers to work out how things should be placed so that everything would fit.
My lessons seem to be in trust and flexibility. We often don’t know where things are because whole rooms have been emptied for painting and carpeting and it takes a while to remember were things were moved to. Sharyn has been a wonderful help during this process. Her background with interior design and working with construction people has been invaluable. And all through this, the ongoing translation of the ministerial courses into Spanish is continuing.
Sometimes I wonder how it will all get done, but it seems to be happening quite nicely as we continue to practice stepping back and getting out of the way of Spirit’s plan. Pausing for peace is still a very important part of this process. I love Mary Ellen’s reference recently to “I rest in God.” I am applying what she talked about in my life to help move through all this renovation as smoothly as possible. Today is a day of resting in God.
Robert: In addition to what Mary talked about, I’m seeing another facet of the renovation process. Just as with the move to Florida, there is more to the renovation process than the visible form. It is an opportunity to continue to see the face of Christ in all my brothers. The contractor friend Sharyn contacted to do the construction part of the renovation did not return her call at first. Eventually contact was made and it turned out that he was dealing with the effects of severe alcoholism and had just gotten out of detox. Sharyn visited him at his home and his neighbor stopped by. It turned out his neighbor could do the work we needed to have done.
In the three days the neighbor and his co-worker were here we got to know them and see them as kind, caring and compassionate men. The neighbor had a deep concern for Sharyn’s contractor friend and his struggle with alcohol which is nearing the point that was portrayed by Nicholas Cage in the movie “Leaving Las Vegas.” Either he will decide to accept help or the alcohol will consume his body. As we watch this, our job is to extend love in response for his call for love.
So I see that the renovation has provided an opportunity to connect with friends we hadn’t met before and extend love to them, to see their innocence and recognize them as our brothers. It is an opportunity for us to remember that no matter what appears to happen in form, there can be no harm in truth. The Love Sharyn’s contractor friend is remains intact, unchanged by the dream of pain and suffering.
So, as with all things in this world, the meaning lies in accepting the opportunities to offer Love. This is how we teach ourselves that we are Love. As we practice pausing for peace and following Holy Spirit’s lead, we see beyond the forms to the real purpose that Holy Spirit sees. Then every moment becomes an exquisite lesson in Love that brings with it great joy and gratitude. My heart is filled to overflowing with the richness of the opportunities before me right now in every moment. Thank you God.
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