The Things I Don’t Know (06/29/2024)

One would think that by the time one reached my age there would be little left that I don’t know. One would be wrong. This week I had to admit that I don’t know how to make cucumber sandwiches because I’ve never even had one. I don’t know why every time I try to pet Chester the cat, he walks 10 inches forward, so I have to lean out of my chair to pet him. I don’t know the new priest who will be coming to our parish next week. And I don’t know why bad things happen to good people. Oh, there are plenty more things that I don’t know, but this list will suffice to help you understand that I’m in the dark on many of the secrets of life and facts of the world.

But I want to know. And so, every day I get up, get ready and go on adventure. Every day is an adventure; no two days are the same. One has to be ready for the unexpected because it arises with great frequency. And one has to be alert because things we need to notice are happening all around us. And every day, as I put my left foot in front of my right foot and step into my day, I remind myself, “You’re not a done muffin, girl.”

Indeed, I am not a done muffin. As long as I am this side of the sod, I recognize that I am still on bake, I am changing, I am growing, I am becoming, or at least I should be. I must admit that there have been too many days along the way when I have realized that I have resisted change and growth. I can get quite comfortable where I am and resist becoming. Thankfully, the Spirit is also very good at prodding and nudging and sending surprises that must be dealt with along the way.

As I begin my day, I wonder what I will learn today. Will it be about another so that I might more perfectly love him or her? Will it be about myself so that I might more perfectly follow my Savior? Will it be about the world in which I live so that I might more effectively accompany others? Will it be about nature so that I might peer into the wonder of creation more deeply? I’m not sure, but I can’t wait to find out.

Just yesterday I learned that one I love is struggling with pain unbeknownst to me. I learned that a friend had a brother and I’d thought she only had sisters. I learned that I don’t like surprises the way I did when I was 12. I learned more about the effects of brain cancer from watching a movie. And I learned that every day in my LORD is a good day. I knew the last already, but it was affirmed.

As we all continue our journeys home, let us remain open to learning, to growing, to becoming. Let us continue to allow the Spirit to guide us on our way. Let us open our eyes, ears, minds and hearts to others and their needs. Let us seek to become the best child of God and disciple of Christ we can through the love of the LORD in whom we live and move and have our being. Let us acknowledge we aren’t done muffins – we’ve so much more to learn.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.