Appreciating the Good Things; Now and Later
This week I had a wonderful surprise conversation with a gentleman who works for the City of Houston checking gas lines. While describing his work, which for that day included about 31 different stops at various locations, he mentioned a bit about why the job was tough, and how tricky it was to cover so much driving distance in one day. Though there was a twinge of frustration with the ins and out of his daily job routine, after a few minutes with the gentleman it was obvious that he was a hard worker and grateful for his job.
“It’s not the best job in town, but it’s the best job I have,” he said at one point during the conversation.
Maybe before working for the city of Houston, he had different aspirations and dreams; maybe there are hopes to do something different in the future. However, at this moment, what he has is the best, because it is what he has right now. Though he could have something better, he could certainly have something worse. With intention, he has chosen to see that way.
While we may sometimes grow weary of life offering us occasions to have better and different perspectives, I think something heavenly is tied to it; one of God’s best talents is allowing us to see a moment, a situation, or even a stage in life from a different perspective. Additionally, something wonderful is that God is also quite talented at adding meaning and worth and blessing to a moment, a situation, and the different stages in life.
As I am quite fond of saying in sermons, (so pardon if this sounds familiar): with God nothing is wasted, all parts of our lives are there for Him to tend to and care for and enhance with His Divine Perspective.
Here at Holy Spirit, we are continuing to figure out what it looks like to not be overly cautious and consumed with precautions, while also trying to be safe. We are asking good questions about when will all the pieces that we removed from worship and our shared life together be added back. When will all the flare, ritual, and liturgical loveliness that we appreciate about the Episcopal Church come back? When will some of the yearly-cherished activities that we have put on pause, resume?
As to the when, I am not sure. I am sure that we are at a much different and better place than we were at this time last summer when the church was mostly empty and the lights rarely used. I also know that this year we will have our annual July 4th concert and picnic which was canceled last summer. In addition, on July 11th the wonderful Bishop Hector Monterroso will join us to celebrate the Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation of a group of youth and adults that have waited so patiently for their big and special day. All happenings I hope all of you will join in on.
There is more to come in the future, as we will continue to add pieces back. It is understandable to wish it would happen quicker; I certainly feel that way at times, also. But, maybe along with that feeling we can also appreciate and celebrate what we have right now, and where we are right now, and let it be the best it can be and is. Because we certainly are well aware that we could be somewhere much different and much worse. And, after all, with God nothing is wasted, all parts of our lives are there for Him to tend to and care for and enhance with His Divine Perspective (have I ever mentioned this before??)
We are grateful for all of you and for your patience. We love you and even better. God loves you.
Korey+