Protective Companion: 23 August 2009

Dear Friends,

In recent weeks Mother Nature has provided our country and world with a variety of what the meteorologists all too often refer to as “weather events”. It’s an almost comical term in that any given “event” can last for days, weeks, or even months. There have been stories of devastating forest fires threatening communities, homes and lives; a typhoon hitting Japan and Taiwan; tropical depression Claudette bringing torrential rains to the panhandle of Florida and Alabama, severe drought in many areas of our country and flash flooding in others; tornadoes; hail; damaging winds; dangerously hot temperatures in the southwest; deadly lightening strikes; hurricane Bill is threatening to provide storm surges to the east coast as early as this weekend and more. Recently in this corner of the world we’ve received some much needed and welcome rain over the past few days. Such a variety of “events” – some welcome but many downright dangerous and potentially life threatening and changing.

As I ponder these active weather “events” I can’t help thinking how much they echo the patterns of our lives. There are times when life goes along on an even keel – all is in place and all is well. Then there are other times when storms hit us and seeing the signs of difficulty ahead we have prepared our hearts and minds for the inevitable – braced ourselves for the storm. And then there are life-changing events we just didn’t anticipate or see coming: a deadly car crash, violent crimes, a sudden illness, a devastating diagnosis, a death of someone dear, the loss of job and/or home, the disintegration of a relationship, etc. Life can certainly bring “events” – many twists and turns to our lives, some coming “out of the blue” and, admittedly, some as the result of our own choices. But the one constant, through the good, the rough, and the bad times, is that we are not alone.

Just as the people of the tribes of Israel proclaimed being accompanied by the Lord God as they escaped from Egypt, witnessed great miracles and were protected and provided for in the desert (Joshua 24:17), the same is true for us: we are not alone on our journey. Despite the events of our lives – both the good and the devastating, our Sacred Guide and Protector walks with us every step of the way. Often the challenge we face is realizing, feeling, knowing, embracing the constant, loving presence of our Holy Companion.

I wonder…when life gets tough (and even when things are going along well) is our oasis of comfort and compassion found exclusively in the reality that we are unceasingly companioned by the Sacred One throughout life or…do we actively and intentionally seek out ways to invite the Sacred into our lives? Ah, isn’t the answer yet another Both/And? And are we not also invited to be companion to others as well?

Peace on the Journey