Today’s blog
Lynn Murphy Mark
“A and W”
“The world presents itself in two ways to me. The world as a thing I own, the world as a mystery I face. What I own is a trifle, what I face is sublime. I am careful not to waste what I own; I must learn not to miss what I face.” Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
If your first thought is about rootbeer, that is not today’s topic. This phrase was coined by Rose and I first heard it yesterday as we had breakfast before our meeting. Our morning conversations range from silly to deep, and we were definitely in the deep end. A and W stands for Awe and Wonder, two practices that we are each exploring in our own ways.
So many incidents recently have caused in me feelings of reverence and fascination for what I encounter. For instance, being at the beach over Thanksgiving week and watching the waves reminded me how long water and waves have been shaping our earth; and how long they will continue to do so long after my turn here is over.
Not long ago I wrote a blog about some scientists’ visualization of a planet in the making thousands of light years away in the galaxy next to ours. Trying to comprehend the scope of God’s creation expanded my awareness of God’s omnipotence in a way that gave me a jolt of joy. I am still nurturing that feeling. I can say that I am still in awe of the information that came my way. I mean, I’ve known for a long time that God is the source of All That Is, but trying to grasp the mathematics revealing such a massive number of miles from here to there has stayed with me. I can say that this exercise caused me some radical amazement.
This last Monday afternoon I was in music lovers’ heaven at a Holiday Brass concert. I was reminded over and over how music causes feelings of wonderment and happiness and respect for the talents of the musicians. In my 74 years I have been to performances of many of the great musicians of my youth. Artur Rubinstein is one. He is long gone, but that man could play in such a way that his soulful interpretations of the classics resonated with me. I once saw Andres Segovia in concert, playing the guitar – such a simple instrument – in his hands it was magic. Music transports me in a way nothing else can.
During prayers last Sunday I felt such a connection with the people wanting prayer that I could feel the energy flowing between us. There is something sacred about the invitation to pray with someone experiencing joy or sorrow. As each one described the circumstances they wanted to pray about, I centered myself in my heart space as we are trained to do. Most people want to hold hands during the prayer and that simple human connection is awe inspiring.
I have encountered a new book that has my complete attention. It is by Kathleen Dowling Singh, and it is called “The Grace in Aging”. I’m only a few pages into it but the writing has been so thought provoking that I can only read it in little bites. Her premise is that, as we age, we have the last opportunities to awaken to what this time of life brings. There is thoughtful writing about facing our own death, and she manages to bring astonishment to the whole idea. As a hospice nurse I was at many death beds, witnessing a person take that last breath before moving on to another stage of unfoldment. That is holy ground, and I was privileged to stand on it with them and their loved ones.
So I have been filled with A and W for some days now. This time of year I feel a reverence for and a kinship with Mary and Joseph and their journey to Bethlehem, waiting for their child to be born. I understand there is no way to know the real circumstances of Jesus’s birth, but I do know the absolute wonderment of childbirth. I think back on the birth of my own children and am in awe of how they are living their good lives.
This morning I am wearing a “Life is Good” shirt. Yes. It. Is.