Wonder

I am fortunate to have the time to make a quiet space almost every morning.  As I reflect, I listen to public radio classical music.  I listen to the beautiful orchestras playing Bach and other pieces.  And here’s what struck me like lightening today:  Isn’t it WONDROUS that there are people gifted with the ability and the desire to play percussion or violins or whatever FOR US?!!  And that’s true, of course, for whatever one’s taste in music. 

Yesterday where I live, a woman fell (too often happens here) before she played for our choir.  She wasn’t hurt, it turns out, but a fall here requires calling for help, and no fewer than 5 young EMTs came with their equipment to help and check her out.  Isn’t it WONDROUS that those young people choose to spend their lives responding to calls for help?

When I stop to ponder the wonders of what people do—-from Doctors Without Borders to CNAs cleaning grown men’s messy bottoms in nursing care, and sooo much more—-I am stunned.  Simply stunned.

And the wonder of it all, of all the varied and stunning human GOODNESS in our world, helps to tap down my anger and frustration with all the evil wretchedness of some humans.  (I’ll resist listing my current grrrrs.)

So I don’t know what all this means for or about the Holy Other in whom we believe (most days).  The one whom I want to fix everything that’s wrong.  But I once heard Bishop Desmond Tutu speak and he said something like this:  “God is so committed to human freedom that s/he will weep when humans choose against love.”   

So today I simply rejoice in WONDER at those of our kind who choose to live love in the most amazing ways, like clashing cymbals for me this morning.

Jane is a retired UCC minister, former Conference Minister and a joyful member of Peace UCC and Southwood UCC. She lives in Foxwood Springs, a great retirement community in Raymore.