Just the Way I am

 I love people. In my life, I have learned that some people loved being loved, and some people are more resistant to love.

Loving people isn't something I do - it's just a part of who I am. Who can tell another person to stop breathing? It's a ludicrous thought, and likewise, for me to not love is ludicrous. Just the mold I was poured into 🤷🏻‍♀️

And I'm grateful that God made me this way. But for every blessing, there are always the flipside - to love means being open for hurt, misunderstanding, forgotteness and abuse. But I would choose it no other way.

And recently, I have spent time listening to Parker J Palmer - he has spoken to me. He sees both sides of the coin too. And I am grateful to listen to his words and nod along. To read his thoughtful insights and know.

I recently saw on one of Parker J Palmer's FB posts these words:

"It’s easy to look but not see what’s there—to look at another person, for example, and see only what’s on the surface, missing the hidden hopes and fears of every human heart. I know because I did it again the other day…

It's also easy to look at the world and see nothing except its banality, corruption, and violence. But when we do, we miss what Thomas Merton called the "hidden wholeness" beneath the world's sadness and madness."

And then he reminds us to "practice of the stilling our mind and to practice "soft eyes" so we can see the beauty—and the potential for beauty—that’s found not only in nature but in human nature as well."

And these words made me sigh, made me smile, and made grateful.

This way I am - it is good. God made me just like this. Made from the lovers mold. I see beauty all around, especially in people. Sometimes when it has not gone quite right--my heart threatens to harden against they way that I am. But in these moments, I just need to practice "soft eyes" so I can see the beauty again.

I praise God that he always leads me exactly where I need to be and back to where I need to be, so that I can continue my life's calling. And always back into the safety of the cleft of Rock.