care about so deeply, that love me so well, is always life giving. It also reminds me of the stark differences between my world here and my world there, reminding me how important it is to write from time to time. To relay pieces of a different reality. If nothing else, to share a different perspective. To all who vocalized appreciation for these little musings I post, thank you; it's incredible encouragement.Today was also a day of commitment for my brother and sister-in-law as they, with family present, participated in Noah's dedication at their home church. (Noah is 6 months old now and as
adorable as ever - see 'proud-aunt-picture' to side.) I'm back in Nicaragua, so I obviously couldn't be there but I haven't stopped thinking about him, and his amazing parents, all day. I love my work and feel that this is where I should be; but I just hate being so far away on days like today.I asked myself, in an email to my mom "How does one prioritize such important things like this? And will they still know how much I love them all...although I wasn't there for that specific moment?"
She answered (in her never-ending wisdom and consistently speedy response time) with a blessing encouraging my longing. My longing to be in more than one place at once, my longing to help create spaces for change, my longing to belong to a circle of friends, a movement, to show family how crucial they are to who I am and how I move through this world.So I thought I'd pass along her blessing, holding this sentiment for my little nephew as well as all of you reading this. Happy new year.
For Longing
by John O'Donohue
Blessed be the longing that brought you here
And quickens your soul with wonder.
May you have the courage to listen to the voice of desire
That disturbs you when you have settled for something safe.
May you have the wisdom to enter generously into your own unease
To discover the new direction your longing wants you to take.
May the forms of your belonging - in love, creativity, and friendship -
Be equal to the grandeur and the call of your soul.
May the one you long for long for you.
May your dreams gradually reveal the destination of your desire.
May a secret Providence guide your thought and nurture your feeling.
May your mind inhabit your life with the sureness with which your body inhabits the world.
May your heart never be haunted by ghost-structures of old damage.
May you come to accept your longing as divine urgency.
May you know the urgency with which God longs for you.
3 comments:
You nephew is ADORABLE! I hope this semester goes great y que nos veamos pronto!
I am honored to be family with you, Rebekah. Thank you for loving us and sharing your heart and life, with both us and with your wider family. About O'Donohue's blessings - aren't they wise? (the book cover says, "his compelling blend of elegant, poetic language and spiritual insight offers readers comfort and encouragement on their journeys through life"). Good stuff - his words and yours. Love you! Mom
Neighbor! This post couldn't have come at a better time. I've been experiencing the same thing as you lately...incredibly blessed and at peace about being here in Oaxaca but at the same time finding it hard to be far away for those special events back home. Thanks to you (and your mom) for sharing those words of longing. Cuidate muchisima!!
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