It takes patience to live a life surrounded by those you truly love. We must truly give ourselves a lifetime to carry out this very difficult task. Unfortunately, our loved ones are not as patient with us as God is, so we have to do the difficult task of change by ourselves.
Point of order: Keeping one’s mouth shut and enjoying the discussion. Last week, I enjoyed an outing with my family at a local restaurant. We had a glorious time, a really fun time. My brother-in-law is visiting us for his much too old reunion at his university and he is sharing his upcoming fifty-fifth festivities with my daughter who is hosting her old roomies for her thirtieth college reunion. Holy cow, am I that old???
I listened! I took part as much as earthly possible for someone who never had the chance to go to college as they did. Believe me! It took a lot of patience. Jealousy, yes. I repeat: Jealousy, yes. You see, I was one of those kids that wasn’t lucky enough, or smart enough, or, well, you pick the adjective, to experience the four-year college experience. I experienced college the night school way. I am very, very jealous!!!!
You know, working all day, then going to class at night, then coming home and studying ‘til midnight routine. I returned home happy but depressed, knowing that I missed an experience that I could never share with anyone. On the positive side, I did continue my schooling and retired and as a college professor – proudly guiding those young men and women, struggling as I did, while working and going to school.
A very short time ago, I struck out at those I loved in frustration at times like these, but God has struggled with me and taught me patience. The love of family, the strength and security of the relationship and love of the fifty-seven years of marriage I have had with my loving wife have taught me that patience is vital in life. As is Love. I still struggle with jealousy and patience, but I am a work in progress, I pray. . .
To be truly the one we can be a never-ending struggle in our world today, when everything outside our vision tugs at our attention, the very core of our values, and our ever-working realization of life. Every which way we turn we are invaded by the desire to ingest the latest invention of our laboratories to cure our invented diseases. When we turn up the sound ever-present visual house guest, we see dancing images of people and plastic bottles how they can be cured or lose 80 pounds by a little white pill; the scene then morphs into a group of healthy looking young people relaxing on a beach, but don’t get too much sun, be sure to use this lotion, also made in our labs to protect our delicate skin.
We cannot get away from this; it is on our radios, our TVs, our cellphones; our social media; and in our newspapers. We are prisoners of our created world; We have made it impossible to be with oneself.
Or have we? Have we become addicted to the self-image of scientific falseness? There are now all-body deodorants so that we do not smell at all. isn’t that great? Do we really just want to all smell like our perfumes or after shave lotions?
I have slightly too big ears and a broken nose; I have friends who have scars from having served in wartime; I have friends born with disabilities. Each one of these makes us unique. Let us be this way.
When the stress of life drains the love from my heart, the chimes of the Holy Spirit ring in a new day of grace, reminding me to be not afraid. The past is gone, and even though the future is dim and unsure in my sight, the chimes of the Spirit assure me that God is with me as I traverse the path of adventure.
So, let us smell! Let us be a little plump! Let us be a little shy or unnerved by something! Each one of these traits belongs to you or me. It makes us who we are. God loves us; We love you.
Be comfortable with who we are! Be comfortable to be with ourselves!
Meditating to Heal 
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