My newspaper column coming out later this week.
“Snow crystal formation is very sensitive to local conditions. If you consider the life of a snowflake, you find that its shape is determined by its history . As the crystal blows about inside the clouds, a developing crystal experiences ever-changing temperatures and humidity levels along the way. Each change in its local environment causes a change in the way the crystal grows. After numerous twists and tumbles, the final structure can be quite complex. And since no two snowflakes follow exactly the same path, no two are exactly alike."
( from Ken Libbrecht's "Field Guide to Snowflakes", Voyageur Press )
Today's personal & spiritual shape is influenced by my history--experiences, people, relationships, conversations, books, decisions, even the most seemingly insignificant events. In fact, everything since my birth has collaborated and conspired to influence my current formation. 1/100th of a degree in temperature sculpts an unduplicated snow crystal as does passing through an imperceptible change in humidity. Likewise, the smallest changes and movements in our daily life are molding us, usually imperceptibly, as though the earth’s rotation were a potter’s wheel, we being altered and smoothed in each day’s turning.
To be at any peace with who I am and where I am today is to recognize the sculpting influence of my entire life up to that moment, including the things I might wish away or prefer had happened much differently. That doesn’t mean I am to be grateful for tragedy or applaud evil (mine or someone else’s). But it does mean that I am not immobilized by despair, regret, or resentment.
And please note that the sovereign shaping of the journey does not remove my personal responsibility. I am often amazed by how passive we can be and how much we underestimate the influence we have in our directions and outcomes. Control is always an illusion, but influence is ever-present and vital. Too often we watch influence sit in the driveway with the engine running, waiting for a driver, while we are by the side of the road with our thumb out, ready to hitch a ride with any experience that will pick us up. That is not contentment or peaceful living—that is complacency, laziness, and irresponsibility. “Que Sera Sera” is a song by Doris Day, not a verse in Proverbs.
Last year I was struck by a segment of an interview with NFL running back Ricky Williams who by most measures squandered his incredible talent and potential. He had neither emotionally healthy parents nor a nurturing childhood. But in response to whether he blamed his later and present troubles on his parents and upbringing said, “If I place all the blame on my past for who I am then I’ve given away all my power. If I make this all my parents’ fault then I’m trapped because I make them the only ones who can fix me. And they can’t.” The spiritual and emotional maturity of such words could not be more gripping if they came from a prophet or priest.
In conclusion I’m inclined to see the wisdom in the simple Serenity Prayer: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.”
Few people are aware of the remainder of the sage prayer penned by Reinhold Niebuhr:
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
forever in the next.
Amen.
As you watch the snow falling, think of the shaping journey of each flake, and consider your own life. Accept and even honor the journey that has helped form you, and welcome the invitation to join in the further influence.
--rLp--
Comments