Gifts that Sustain Us by Barry Hughes




I have shared before how much I love the fact that my neighborhood is home to two Little Free Libraries. They make me smile as I pass them each day. I picture excited children picking out a new read and older neighbors sharing their interests and hobbies through the sharing of their books. This morning I was intrigued to find that this particular library was down to its last book. To make it even more interesting, the last book was the story of the Monty Python comedy troupe. Sometimes life just gives a little gift.
I am curious to see how quickly this library is restocked by its neighbors. It always is, so my confidence is high. The number of books ebb and flow, somehow always finding sustainability. Books are returned. New books are added. Some books find new homes. But somehow, someway, it all evens out over time.
As I look back across the years of my life, it seems my story ebbs and flows much as does the Little Free Library. I recall times when life was easy and friends seemed aplenty. At other times, I felt alone and drowning in the struggle. There were days when I was young and strong and invincible. Other days have been filled with tests and hospitals and anxiety. Some days were lived in confidence and joy while others were filled with self doubt and melancholy. Looking at any of these snapshots individually would not give an accurate picture of the journey. It takes the long look, with all of life’s ebb and flow, to see who I am and why I am the person I currently am. With humility I count myself among the fortunate. The better days are winning.
The writer of the letter to the Philippians expresses life in these words: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." The “secret”, for him, was faith. Faith sustained him through all the ebb and flow of life. Faith was the one unchanging aspect of his ever-changing world. Faith tied all the various snapshots together in the story of his life.
What are the things that have seen us through the journey of our own lives? Faith? True friends? Ideals and values? Clear goals and vision? Love? What sustains us through it all? Whatever it may be, it is a gift for which we should be ever mindful. And a gift for which we should be ever thankful.
Peace.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

God is at Work

Image
In the early morning I was struck with this image. It seems to have it all. Green leaves. Red leaves. Clouds. Blue sky. The cross high and lifted up to the sky. It seemed to me that there was the stuff of several good photos in this one place and at one time. So I took the picture. Life is like that more often than not, isn't it? Good and bad. Happy and sad. Calm and chaos. Peace and turmoil. The season of Advent and the celebration of Christmas acknowledges this reality. The people of old resigned to their fate, yet hoping in the future. John the Baptist bringing the good news that the time had come, yet thundering away at one and all. Mary afraid, yet faithful. A baby is born that changes everything, yet the world remains still weary and violent. But, in the midst of all this, in the midst of the whiplash of everyday life, God is at work. God is present. God is calling. In all of it. In every bit of it. Through it all, God is with us. During these holidays, when joy can be mixed ...
Read more

Home

Image
  I came across this interesting tree the other morning. I was immediately transported back to my childhood and one of my favorite boyhood books, “My Side of the Mountain”. It was about a boy who went off by himself to live in the woods and to find everything he needed provided by nature. I don’t recall how many times I read that book in my elementary school years, but it was plenty. As I recall, he made his home in a tree that had a natural door, much like this one. I dreamed of following in his footsteps and doing the same in the woods behind my house. I never did. Home comes in all kinds of versions. Opulent mansions. Simple cabins. Modest middle-sized houses. Some people have the amazing ability to create home even when they are without a physical home. There are heroes who keep family together through tough transitions and the hardest of times. They commit to staying connected. They love one another. They are accountable to each other as they lift up the heart of what it means...
Read more

Loving Embrace by Barry Hughes

Image
One of the joys of walking each day is passing my neighbors. I may not know their names, but I feel I know many of them from our shared walks. I have names for them in my head, based on the dogs they walk or at what place on my route I usually pass them each day. I am amazed at how many people seem to be creatures of habit, like myself, walking the same course at the same time every day. I must admit that I do wonder, from time to time, what name they have given me as they pass me every day. On occasion, I see people who are new to me. On this morning I came upon the scene of a woman leaving a house for her walk. Suddenly, two small boys rushed out, barefoot and dressed in pajamas, urging her to wait. She stopped and turned, and with beatific smile embraced both boys and shared a few joyful moments with each. It was a touching and heartwarming sight. I imagined that the woman is grandmother to the boys. She is here visiting and these boys awoke as she walked out the door. They did not ...
Read more