Good morning…
I encouraged myself to “just let go” of all the old stuff, to wipe the slate clean, to let bygones be gone. But as my pen prayed on the journal page, I unearthed a long litany of leftovers. I expressed everything completely, spoke my truth honestly. Having written out the last morsel in me, I felt at peace. Then I read Henri Nouwen’s daily meditation. Somehow his words felt like an “Amen.”
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The Cup Of Our Lives by Henri Nouwen
We all must hold the cups of our lives. As we grow older and become more fully aware of the many sorrows of life – personal failures, family conflicts, disappointments in work and social life, and the many pains surrounding us on the national and international scene – everything within and around us conspires to make us ignore, avoid, suppress, or simply deny these sorrows. “Look at the sunny side of life and make the best of it,” we say to ourselves and hear others say to us. But when we want to drink the cups of our lives, we need first to hold them, to fully acknowledge what we are living, trusting that by not avoiding but befriending our sorrows we will discover the true joy we are looking for right in the midst of our sorrows.
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When I began journaling, I wanted to “look at the sunny side,” to avoid, deny past pain, to suppress, ignore difficult dynamics. But God said, “No.” God took over my pen and painted each tone in my rich inner landscape. If we are going to drink the cup of our real lives, we need to first hold it, fully accepting each facet of the life that is ours. In God’s time, we discover that true joy is seasoned by the salt of sorrow, as we befriend, not avoid, our myriad parts.
“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness?” (Matthew 5:13a, MSG).
…Sue…
