“Don’t look back, lengthen your stride, and press toward the goal." ~ Philippians 3:13-14
A dear family friend passed from
this world into glory a month ago. You never truly understand someone’s impact
until they’ve departed from this life. Her story taught me the beauty and value
of simplicity.
Dawn was a gentle spirit. She never really grew
sophisticated in her understanding of the world, yet her smile was contagious.
You might say that she was mildly cognitively impaired – or maybe in a way, she
was just lucky.
Neighbors embraced her. Church members helped with financial
advice, nutritional support, and minor home repairs.
Dawn’s gift to a community that adored her was her
simplicity; the infinite enjoyment she took in the everyday blessings that
crossed her path. She laughed at snowflakes, was delighted when a dandelion
puff exploded in the wind, and became excited when a salmon leaped from the
river sending a spray of water into the air like pearls against the sky.
She was quiet, Dawn seemed to know that there was more to be
heard in silence; that sharing love could be done without speaking. She invested
in the lives of others just by sharing her genuine satisfaction with every
moment of her life, strangely immune from anxiety, depression, and callousness.
Her homemade cookies and pies were delicious. Most of all, we loved Dawn because she touched many lives. She never wanted to be
the leader, but rather the servant of all. It was pure humbleness to which the
mighty should aspire.
This woman was a glorious example of contentment, pure
comfort with who she was, oblivious to the need for more, but realizing the
beauty of how much she already had. Regardless of her own circumstances, she could
bring light, hope, and joy to those around her through her example of
authenticity, kindness, and inner peace.
Life is too precious to rush through in the far-left lane, too
short to overlook the beauty of creation that we’re called to care for. To love
and touch one life at a time, was Jesus’ example on earth. He welcomed all to
enjoy the bounty that God blessed us with.
Complexity is often mistaken for intelligence. Many of us
think we attract friends by being ‘impressive’, but the reality is that deep
friendship is usually accelerated through vulnerability.
So, we often turn to community, which is exactly what God
made us for. We’ve all experienced what it’s like to be vulnerable and, to some
degree, an ‘outcast’ in society, conditions which grow our compassion for
others and develop an increased sense of God’s justice for all.
Almighty Father, let me live with awe and
humility, present in each moment and grateful for the gifts of life that You
fill to my brim - so much that my joy will overflow and make better the lives
of all around me. Amen
