Recently I was reflecting on what gives me joy in my life.
Certainly at the Center are relationships. I find great strength and a lifting up of spirit when I experience a real loving connection. I heard someone describing this by using the image of a quiet port in storms, or the sun breaking through after a fierce storm.
I also find great delight in nature, trees, plants, flowers, birds, animals, oceans, rivers and much more.
However, despite so many blessings, I can also find myself getting anxious about issues as they arise. I want to solve things and challenges quickly.
Of course, life is not like that. It is normal for things not to be normal…
The one underlying relationship that sustains all others is the relationship with God.
The more that I keep reminding myself through the prayer of God’s loving presence, the more I know how true the words of Jesus are:
‘My peace I give you, my own peace I give you, a peace that the world cannot give.’
Not a fairy tale peace ‘and they lived happily ever after’ but rather:
A peace built on love and sustained by love deeper than emotive reactions and even reactions based on immediate feelings.
Nothing can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This enriches all other relations.