Take on the World Day (6/28/2023)

Yesterday was the first day in over two weeks when I wasn’t scheduled to be somewhere. I must admit that, as I finished up my morning blog, I was all twitterpated with excitement. I had an empty box on my fridge calendar. What was I going to do to stay out of trouble? When I was younger, I would have called it a “take on the world day,” but at my age, I settled for a “reach out to the world day.” I spent much of the day phoning individuals whom I’d meant to reach out to, to check on, to chat.

The day went well. Taking the time to call and chat with others whom I know are on difficult stretches of their journeys is meant to let them know they are not alone. However, I have to admit that it also helps me to remember, humbly so, that I am not alone, either. The calls don’t take that much time; it’s just that one never wants to make those calls distracted or while multitasking. I remember the movie “Avatar” and the line “I see you.” These calls are my way of saying, “I see you.”

Our LORD calls us all to “see” one another, to take in not just the physical appearance but also the struggles of the moments. The LORD calls us to support one another on the journeys of life. We are created in relationship for relationships. Our life journeys at times can seem very lonely, and we can feel isolated by grief, by circumstances, by illness. As disciples of our Lord, Jesus Christ, we are called to see the crosses others carry and to not only accompany the other but, when possible, join them sharing the weight of their cross for just a bit.

We’ve all had moments when we longed for someone to simply notice, stop, and encourage us. The LORD encourages us through love and grace. But the LORD calls us to be agents of that love here on earth, too.

There is a world out there that I could have taken on yesterday, but I decided to keep it local. I decided to reach out to those who share the pew with me, those who walk the streets of my neighborhood, those who shop at the same grocery store that I do. It was a simple day with a few calls and delightful conversations. It was a day when I felt stroked by grace as I reached out to friends I know are hurting. I didn’t discover the 8th continent yesterday. I did rediscover the power of a simple act of outreach to a friend.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.