Good morning…
As we fell sleep at the crossroads of life and death, we had no idea if my mom would wake up in the ICU or if the path before us would veer in a different direction. The two words joining us at this crossroads were “gracious acceptance.” We prayed that our family would graciously accept whatever pathway God might open before us.
Early in the morning, before heading to the ICU, I received this text from a friend.
******
Sue, “This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, Love to complete your life.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
I love you and am holding you and your family close in my heart and praying for acceptance and peace.
******
This blessing now turns into my wish for all of us, as we continually find ourselves at the crossroads of life and death.
Comfort on difficult days.
Smiles when sadness intrudes.
Rainbows to follow the clouds.
Laughter to kiss your lips.
Sunsets to warm your heart.
Hugs when spirits sag.
Beauty for your eyes to see.
Friendships to brighten your being.
Faith so that you can believe.
Confidence for when you doubt.
Courage to know yourself.
Patience to accept the truth.
Love to complete your life.
As I type this list right now, my memory is jogged. Driving home from the ICU the night before, I saw a swath of rainbow colors hanging strangely in the winter sky. I felt God’s powerful presence surrounding me, guiding me back to my parents’ villa. I remembered back to the blessing spoken over me that morning by another friend: “There is an ocean of grace and love and power lying all around us, an ocean where all of earthly life is but a drop. It is ready to transfigure us.”
Jesus went up to the top of a high mountain with Peter, James, and John. There, something spectacular happened: Jesus’ face began to glow and gleam and shine like the morning sun. His clothes gleamed too—bright white, like sunlight mirroring off a snowfall. He was, in a word, transfigured (Matthew 17:1b-3, VOICE).
As we fully surrender into God’s grace and love and power, might gracious acceptance transfigure each one of us?
…Sue…
