As we shelter at home, I have time to think more clearly about my life and purpose and to gain meaning from the past. I’ve been “running on empty” (a great Jackson Browne song) for years. I’m not sure when it started, or maybe it has always been there. Striving for good grades in high school and college, to make an impact in my career as a pharmacist, and volunteer work at church and our art museum. These are definitely all things I enjoy, but I realize that I have been running from point to point for years, never stopping long enough to enjoy the moment.
During these weeks of reflection, I’ve been most appreciative of friends reaching out to make sure I am okay and it has been a pleasure to see my neighbors with their children on bikes and scooters, and everyone out walking their dogs!!
I am even grateful for the internet. I’ve had old friends reach out to re-connect that I haven’t seen in 35 years. In some cases we parted under less-than-ideal circumstances, but now is a heart-warming time of reconciliation. It may be an old romance or an estranged family member but it is good to hear their voice, or read their thoughts. It may be just a short email or phone call to say “I remember that you are a part of my history”, but the reconciliation is salve to a weary soul. Even though we may have been distant for many years, we still care about each other as humans and wish each other all the best.
I’ve had more time for prayer and meditation during these weeks, too and I’ve read verses from 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 which speak of us being reconciled to God through Christ. In turn, we have also been given the ministry of reconciliation. In verses 20-21 we hear: “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors; as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
May this Holy Week bring about reconciliation of us all to God and to each other.
Blessings, my friend,
Agatha