Life is what happens

Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans. - John Lennon

As I approach the age where I previously thought life would be winding down, I am surprised and happy to report that it actually seems to be just beginning.

All of my life, I have been in a hurry. I think I worried that something great was happening somewhere else, and I was missing it. Or, I feared that since I thought of myself as lacking in so many ways, that without extra effort, I would miss out on life and it's purpose.

I expect some of this resulted from so much of the time being told to be still, or be quiet in my childhood. As you can imagine, these are things that did not come naturally to me then (or now, for that matter).

But also, I am sure it came from being raised by two people who, themselves, really did not know how to live. Even today, they sadly seem to be following some sort of script they do not understand. Almost as if it were a poorly written text, originally in a foreign language that was incorrectly translated into their native tongue.

So, it is no wonder that this was true for me, too, for much of my life. Like the dairy cow heading back to the barn, I followed the same narrow path everyday. Days highlighted by meals, standing around in groups, and mostly following the herd. And day by day, that rut was worn deeper into the soil - so that it was difficult (if not impossible) for me to choose another path.

So, I graduated from college, got the job I should have gotten. I attended church regularly. Visited my parents when requested. Got married. Had children. Got divorced. Lost my job.

At this point, as you might imagine, I began to question whether one of my memory verses from childhood bible school might be mistaken.

All things work together for good, for them that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

No, about this time I began to see that much of what I had heretofore accepted as true and right - was neither.

As you can imagine, the next few years were tumultuous. They were painful. My entire world was upended. I liken it to the process of buying an old house. You start out thinking all that is needed is a little remodeling here and there. By the time you're done, you end up with a major renovation that requires tearing the house down to the wall studs and floor joists.

Lest you pity me too much - as you've not experienced it - please don't. First, because it was the best thing that ever happened to me. And. secondly, because if you haven't experienced it (and you do not resist it) - you will!

And, regardless of where you are in life, please allow me to offer some words of encouragement. We worry so much. We fret if we are enough - or too much - or misbegotten altogether.

We plan. We evaluate. We talk to our friends and lovers about what it all means. If we have reached that stage in life where our previously effective coping mechanisms and medicating are no longer - then "how wonderful!"

As my theology professor once told us in our final year of college:

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation. Now your education can commence. All I have done for you, all you have learned in my classes were merely a precursor and prerequisite for the real and continual process of learning and growing.

So, approaching my 60th birthday, his admonition rings more true today than it did then. As John Lennon said, my life thus far was what happened to me while I was making plans and expecting something completely different.

And, maybe, although I am no longer a professing Christian, maybe the words of the Apostle Paul were right after all. Maybe in spite of it all - in spite of own, foolish self - it really has worked out all right.

All of the sadness and tears. All of the detours and wrong turns really were right after all. In the end, as long as you reach your destination, does it really matter the road you took? Particularly if the scenery was so lovely - and your traveling companions so tender?

Tao 29 Allow your life to unfold naturally Know that it too is a vessel of perfection 

Just as you breathe in and breathe outSometimes you're ahead and other times behind Sometimes you're strong and other times weak Sometimes you're with people and other times alone 

To the Sage all of life is a movement toward perfection So what need has he for the excessive, the extravagant, or the extreme? 

From: Tzu, Lao. "Tao Te Ching." Jeremy P. Tarcher/penguin, 2008-01-10. iBooks.

59° Mist and Fog ~ Knoxville, TN, United States
dg 
1/14/17

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