dying and living

Sadness abounds; death of a loved one, death of a marriage, death of picturesque parenting, death of a relationship.  In the process of living, there is a parallel process of dying.   Fears reign and darkness fills the day.  It’s bleak & hopeless, there is much to be overwhelmed by.

And then these words come, this picture is painted, this melody of hope sings loudly, this ribbon of truth is woven;

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you,

I have called you by name, and you are mine.

When you go through deep waters,

I will be with you.

When you go through rivers of difficulty,

You will not drown.

When you walk through the fire of opposition,

You will not be burned up;

The flames will not consume you.

For I am the Lord, your God,

The Holy One of Israel, your savior…

You are precious to me,

You are honored, and

I love you.”

Isaiah 43

Grieving family, you are loved.

Hurting wife, you are precious.

Disillusioned and fearful parent, you are not alone.

And, little girl, you will not be consumed.

You are rescued, you are saved.

Moving from caution to courage....

How do I move from caution to courage? Life in suburbia U.S.A. is clinical, sterile, cautious, carefully planned. Grass grows in neat lawns, trimmed regularly Gardens bloom in carefully placed plots, fences in place, with only one gate Cars sleep in measured out stalls where garage doors close Socks in the sock drawer, Spoons washed and neatly tucked into silver wear bins, Labeled water bottles, labeled coffee mugs, labeled junk drawers, Labels and categories, Lids and containers, Plans and calendars, Inboxes and mailboxes and donation boxes and school paper boxes Life tucked into twenty hour increments. This kind of living leads to caution. Where comes the courage for living when everything is so carefully, cautiously arranged?