I really liked the idea Jenny shared about Jesus seeing opportunity where others saw limitation.  This reminded me of an experience told to me by a CSO member in Lome, Togo.  We were in Togo just a couple of months ago for a youth summit there.  The CSO was very involved in the planning  of it.  After the event, we visited the CSO and learn more about their activities, in addition to challenges they faced and how they were addressing them.

The process of getting the CSO and its activities registered on the campus is a long and ambiguous one.  They shared a story of having to move a lecture to the local CS Society at the last minute after their authorization to hold activities on campus was questioned, even though they had paperwork demonstrating their legitimacy.  The president of the CSO was summoned to the police station for questioning.  The CSO member brought another church member with him and a copy of Science and Health and a Herald. They used this challenge as an opportunity to explain Christian Science to these policemen who didn’t know much about it.  After everything was cleared up, the police chief mentioned how impressed he was of the CSO member and how he wished his own son was as dedicated and serious as he was.  The student replied that the man’s son could only be a reflection of the divine and reassured him that God was speaking to his son as well.  This impressed the chief and he thanked the student for sharing those ideas with him.  They ended up leaving the Science and Health and Herald at the station.  This is just one of many stories we heard from church members of how they were seeing challenges as opportunities to share Christian Science, instead of limitations to what they were trying to accomplish.  

It made me think of the concept of wedded bliss. We are forever “wedded” to the right ideas -our oneness with God. This spiritually wedded state  translates into  a greater sense of unity with the right ideas of ourselves and of others. We are never divorced from grace , dignity, joy and peace.

We can celebrate that!

As a pray-er, I’ve sometimes found it easier to respond to tragedies that seem like isolated events, rather than ongoing conflicts. But one of my commitments in 2013 has been to not give in to “prayer fatigue,” and to see each moment as a fresh opportunity to address even those world problems that seem never-ending or severely entrenched. My inspiration comes from this Radical Act!

See, I’ve realized that those situations that seem to require the most persistence are also the ones in which disappointment needs to be redeemed by hope, the impossible turned to the possible. And I have an example of how that can be done–I have Jesus’ example in this RA, and I have examples from my life and all of yours, too! A spiritual law which works in one case must work in all cases. So I know that the promise of disappointment turned to something holy must apply to every conflict, to every place in need of redemption, and to every heart in need of consolation.

Over the last few weeks, when I’ve seen reports about Syria, or about conflict between Israel and Palestine, or when I’ve read about seemingly intractable economic problems in the U.S. or elsewhere, I’ve asked myself one simple question: Am I seeing water, or am I seeing wine? I’m loving the way this has invigorated and inspired my prayers, even on issues that seem to have gone on “forever.” In fact, my old “fatigue” has started to seem pretty silly. Why wouldn’t I want to spend time each day listening to God tell me what’s possible, even in the face of the impossible? I’m grateful this RA has woken me up to the need–and my ability!–to do so.

Those slopes are just as holy a place as a mall, a downtown, a field or a church.  Your availability to see God’s work, and to respond to God’s work alone, is an inspiration no matter where I might be.  Thank you so much for sharing.

I never expected to find love on this ski trip. But standing on a high crest of a mountain, looking down on surrounding mountain peaks, feeling the immensity of God, I know Love and I feel love.

In our ski group there is one who has special needs. Some are physical, but this dear one also has some emotional damage. I have spent years with her, talking, caring, supporting. Praying and listening moment by moment for inspiration.

The night before we hit the slopes I lay awake turning my thoughts from fear, feeling the grandeur of the star pinpoints shining in on me through the skylight above. Feeling the grandeur of God’s plan for all of us which is as natural and harmonious and orderly as the stars moving through the sky.

The next day from within a sea of red ski instructor jackets a voice called to me in tones of warmth that pulled my heartstrings. A wide smile and a greeting doused in an Aussie accent invaded our group, and our ski day began.

Disarming the almost constant verbal assault of complaint from our dear one, patience, kindness, and thoughtfulness asserted their dominance on our experience. Run after ski run.

On one trail our Aussie ski instructor set her legs in a sturdy snow plow and tucked our dear one right behind her leading her to a wide open safe place. And when our dear one was tired the instructor arranged a way down and made it fun.

I quietly reveled in God’s grace in action in so many ways and enjoyed capturing moments on my camera.

And then, in an equally quiet gesture the ski instructor paused, and looked at me, and said how do you do it. I replied well you know at some point in life it’s just not all about you anymore. She asked for my camera. And she said sit right here. And she took MY photo.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been on that end of the lens.

The day came to a close with hugs and happiness.

Later I texted the instructor to thank her for her patience and kindness, and for her ingenuity in taking care of our dear one.

She texted back…”don’t let her be too hard on you….you are wonderful too.”

Gulp, my eyes misted. The years with my dear one have been difficult. But this person from another continent helped me see me again. The me God sees.

Love. I gave it. I felt it.