God is ...

God is. God is present. Thank the Lord!

Well, it seems that my rant last night about wondering about God and God's presence in my CPE work had some effect...perhaps not on God, but at least on me. Today I had a couple of wonderful interactions with people along with a whole lot of more minor ones that left me thinking that perhaps this whole experience might have some use ... sometimes it seems like a grind and a pain, and a chore, rather than a joy. However, the joy of being with someone and caring for them while they grieve and are in pain is indescribable. The opportunities to truly experience someone's humanity are rare and I sometimes tend to overlook them. But I have found some amazing, profound moments that wash over me and are a great gift. Sure, the work is a chore at times - just like full-time ordained ministry will be; but I am recognizing more and more the "peace which passeth all understanding," that comes from God's presence with us and with our fellow children of God.

I also know that tomorrow may be a tedious day, and I will need to pray and strive to recognize God's presence in the tedium as well as in the profound moments at the beginning and end of life. That is my prayer for tomorrow:

Almighty and merciful God, you are in the whirlwind, the thunder, the lightning, but you are also in the gradual and often mistakable shifts in the exterior weather and the interior climates of our lives; may we seek and serve you in all of these elements of your creation and may we come to see that we can be your agents of reconciliation and agents of care as we do your work in the world; through your Son, Jesus Christ, who came to care for us but also to redeem the world so that we might experience your Kingdom. Amen.