Understated


 

In the span of just a few days, the season has changed in my little neighborhood. I don’t mean the official first day of Fall has arrived or that there has been a drastic and noticeable change in the weather. No, in my neighborhood the change in seasons is marked by the decorations that brighten the yards and homes. With most of the homes having small children living there, each season brings an outpouring of creativity and humor. It makes one smile.
This particular display is simple and traditional. Flowers in fall colors, hay bales and a pumpkin. Yet it says it all. Seeing this image immediately turns the mind to Autumn. Suddenly my mind is filled with memories of crisp weather, beautiful leaves, football games and time in the colorful woods. So much from such a simple display.
Sometimes less really is more. That can be true, even when it comes to our religious life. When I think of those persons whose lives have really brought light into my life, it has been those who are somewhat understated. They did not speak down to me from a place of self importance or self righteousness, but out of a humble spirit. They did not talk about God and faith as if it was a debate to be won, but simply shared how their own life was being changed. They did not look at others with an expectation that everyone needed to be like them, but with an appreciation that they were in it with the rest of us.
We read these words in the letter to the Ephesians,

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Such an understated life holds great power for peace and unity, love and respect. Perhaps this kind of life will inspire others who pass through our lives. Perhaps together we can be used to bring some sanity to the world.
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

Quiet Surprises

Image
This little friend decided to pause and stare at me as long as I was willing to pause and stare at him. It was a beautiful moment of silence and calm and peace. I'm not sure how long we enjoyed each other's presence, but it seemed like quite a good while. I sensed no fear at all in this deer. Of course, I was on his turf and was armed with only my phone. I was driving when I spotted him, so I pulled over and parked. I thought he would rush back into the woods before I could take a photograph. What a pleasant surprise it was. Sometimes surprises burst into our life loud and big, like a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday" at a surprise party or in a humming crowd at some huge event. But at other times, surprises slip into our consciousness, subtle and understated. A deer at the edge of the woods. A card with words of love when you need it most. The smile of a friend long missed. A feeling of peace when life is anything but peaceful. In fact, it may be that those quiet
Read more

Live Out Loud

Image
This is one big Woodpecker! I was visiting some friends who live in the mountains and saw this bird right outside the window as I sat in my chair and read. It is a Pileated Woodpecker, a bird that grows to be up to 19 inches long with a wing span of 30 inches, weighing 14 pounds. I still feel the same excitement when I see one today as I did as a boy. They are spectacular creatures. I'm sure that one reason I like them so much is that they remind me of Woody Woodpecker, a favorite cartoon of my boyhood. But another reason they catch my eye is they seem so strong and self-assured. They carry themselves with a sense of confidence. When they go to work on a tree, they are loud and proud. When they swoop in and out through the woods, they own the airspace. These beautiful birds live out loud. I have a feeling that when we live out loud, we might exude that same kind of confidence. When we know who we are, and more importantly, who we want to be, it shows. Not in bravado or arrogance, b
Read more