My friend Helen was waiting for me after the meeting. She handed me a folded up piece of computer paper and explained how the poem she had just composed captured the essence of her current emotional state. The first line just popped, “Stubbing my toe on reality, IT HURTS!” After I had finished reading the poem aloud, we smiled at each other, I thanked her, and we departed. This elderly blind woman humbled me that evening with her unmistakable spirituality. Instead of being a source of frustration and resentment, her lack of eyesight apparently served as an analogy for her inner life. During our conversations, she proudly shared how she depended upon a chauffeur and an escort to get to and from meetings as well as a myriad of little helpers at home, at work, and at church. She had somehow learned to not just tolerate, but, in fact, befriend and rejoice in the darkness, which brought her a deep and contagious peace. Let’s be gracious like Helen today. Let’s trust and walk and stub our toes on reality, then have the grace to smile and carry on. Ave Crux, Spes Unica.
Yes, reality can hurt, but a gracious attitude that reflects the love exchanged with God and with others, can still bring a deep and couragious peace. Thanks!
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