[caption id="attachment_1781" align="alignright" width="200"] Blog by Sr. Anne Lythgoe, OP[/caption]
It is no secret that many of us are disappointed and sickened by the election of Donald Trump as our next President. But don't worry; this is not a political comment. Read on.
I was in fact, quite sickened by the election and that night felt a deep foreboding especially for the millions of immigrants, Muslims and poor people in this country who are now made more vulnerable to the darker side of this country, in its bigotry and hate. I was up half the night, unable to sleep.
Wednesday morning after our usual morning prayer, I was alone in my thoughts, eating breakfast and staring out the kitchen window, wondering what God is saying to us, when I noticed some movement in the bushes in our backyard. Suddenly two delicate and lovely baby deer were standing there munching on tree leaves.
I was startled by them, a visitation so totally unexpected. They shattered my darkness, completely illuminating the shadow that had overpowered my spirit. As they quietly moved along the tree line keeping close to each other, I stood motionless, holding my breath hoping they did not notice me in the window. A few more munchies on the tree and they were gone like a puff of smoke.
A burst of gratitude came into my heart. "All shall be well" was their message. Julian of Norwich's famous phrase: "Believe that all manner of things shall be well." I felt visited by God in these lovely creatures, who were oblivious to my presence, innocent, fragile and completely dependent on the providence of God for their well-being. They unknowingly brought me out of darkness. I carried this message of confidence in God within me all day long.
"All shall be well" - Julian's phrase, her utter confidence and sure footed navigation through her own darkness inspired me, lifted me. God was clearly telling me to snap out of it and live in the light. Stay focused on what God is doing. Easy to say, hard to do. But the encounter with the deer helped me see God in this present darkness.
Perhaps there have been small (and not so small) epiphanies like this in your own life. I hope so. I hope that you can navigate the darkness and remain open to small slivers of light that God offers us every day.
Of course, this does not erase the genuine concern we should all have about the next four years, but it gives me confidence that good will overcome all the evil that we witness in the world. Finally, the scripture that comes to mind as we face these stressful days:
Notice the ravens: they do not sow or reap; they have neither storehouse nor barn, yet God feeds them. How much more important are you than birds! Can any of you by worrying add a moment to your life-span? If even the smallest things are beyond your control, why are you anxious about the rest? Notice how the flowers grow. They do not toil or spin. But I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass in the field that grows today and is thrown into the fire tomorrow, will God not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? As for you, do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not worry anymore. All the nations of the world seek for these things, and God knows that you need them. Instead, seek the kingdom, and these other things will be given you besides. (Luke 12:24-31)
And the people said: Amen.
Blog by Sr. Anne Lythgoe, OP[/caption]
It is no secret that many of us are disappointed and sickened by the election of Donald Trump as our next President. But don't worry; this is not a political comment. Read on.
I was in fact, quite sickened by the election and that night felt a deep foreboding especially for the millions of immigrants, Muslims and poor people in this country who are now made more vulnerable to the darker side of this country, in its bigotry and hate. I was up half the night, unable to sleep.
Wednesday morning after our usual morning prayer, I was alone in my thoughts, eating breakfast and staring out the kitchen window, wondering what God is saying to us, when I noticed some movement in the bushes in our backyard. Suddenly two delicate and lovely baby deer were standing there munching on tree leaves.
I was startled by them, a visitation so totally unexpected. They shattered my darkness, completely illuminating the shadow that had overpowered my spirit. As they quietly moved along the tree line keeping close to each other, I stood motionless, holding my breath hoping they did not notice me in the window. A few more munchies on the tree and they were gone like a puff of smoke.
A burst of gratitude came into my heart. "All shall be well" was their message. Julian of Norwich's famous phrase: "Believe that all manner of things shall be well." I felt visited by God in these lovely creatures, who were oblivious to my presence, innocent, fragile and completely dependent on the providence of God for their well-being. They unknowingly brought me out of darkness. I carried this message of confidence in God within me all day long.
"All shall be well" - Julian's phrase, her utter confidence and sure footed navigation through her own darkness inspired me, lifted me. God was clearly telling me to snap out of it and live in the light. Stay focused on what God is doing. Easy to say, hard to do. But the encounter with the deer helped me see God in this present darkness.
Perhaps there have been small (and not so small) epiphanies like this in your own life. I hope so. I hope that you can navigate the darkness and remain open to small slivers of light that God offers us every day.
Of course, this does not erase the genuine concern we should all have about the next four years, but it gives me confidence that good will overcome all the evil that we witness in the world. Finally, the scripture that comes to mind as we face these stressful days:
Notice the ravens: they do not sow or reap; they have neither storehouse nor barn, yet God feeds them. How much more important are you than birds! Can any of you by worrying add a moment to your life-span? If even the smallest things are beyond your control, why are you anxious about the rest? Notice how the flowers grow. They do not toil or spin. But I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass in the field that grows today and is thrown into the fire tomorrow, will God not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? As for you, do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not worry anymore. All the nations of the world seek for these things, and God knows that you need them. Instead, seek the kingdom, and these other things will be given you besides. (Luke 12:24-31)
And the people said: Amen. 