Permission to Be

Good morning, Loved Ones,

Today a few words from Thomas Merton.

The most wonderful moment of the day is that when creation in its innocence asks permission to "be" once again, as it did on the first morning that ever was.
Here is an unspeakable secret: paradise is all around us and we do not understand.
It is wide open. The sword is taken away, but we do not know it:
we are off "one to his farm and another to his merchandise."
Lights on. Clocks ticking. Thermostats working. Stoves cooking. Electric shavers filling radios with static.
"Wisdom" cries the dawn deacon, but we do not attend.
(Thomas Merton, "A Book of Hours")

Let's attend to the wisdom of gratitude this brand new day.

For sidewalks and quiet streets and a four-legged companion to walk me into this day . . .
For God's permission to "be" once again and to shake off the doubts and dread of night . . .
For the paradise around us that we seldom see or understand . . .
For the radiant face of God in Jesus Christ which obliterates the shadows of our childish, vengeful, angry, sword toting god of punishment . . .
For the Wisdom found in little things . . .

Today I give thanks.

Pastor Rick
http://gimmecinco.blogspot.com/