During the first week of every month I spend some time reading over the previous month’s journal entries.
Here are some thoughts from October that jumped out at me.

– It’s apparent that love has nothing to do with what we have done or what we may do in the future. I loved my daughters and grandchildren when I first saw them, actually before I even saw them. They had not done one single thing to benefit humanity. And, I love my father, mother, and others who have died even though their race is run. Why is it such a struggle for me to accept that I am loved? Why do I think my being worthy of love is connected to what I have done or promise to do in the future?

– “Be still and know” The more still we are, the more we know God is God. Anxiety, fear, control, or vainly seeking to become worthy, all scramble the signal.

– No matter how the election turns out, my job description remains the same. Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with God.

– “Be still and know” Could it be that the gift of death is that we are finally still enough to truly know. To know that we have been in God’s presence; living, moving, being all along.

– If God suffers with us, is it making God too human, too vulnerable, to say to the Creator, “I’m sorry for your pain?”

– Finally, one of my favorite quotes from my father, whose memorial service was in October. He said this countless times from his wheelchair in the nursing home where he died. “There’s a blessing in every moment and every moment is a blessing.”