In the past few weeks there have been a number days where the fog was so thick and heavy it was as if our world had been wrapped up in a woolly blanket. It was treacherous driving on the highway with visibility so limited and the road slick with ice crystals. But WOW, did it create a beautiful landscape!You see the cold and fog created hoar frost. A thick covering of white feathery crystals covered our corner of the world. Even the extension cord used to plug in the car at night looked beautiful. One is tempted to take pictures of everything...anything! From a row of willows lining the street, a barbed wire fence to the ugly old antenna on my truck, it all looks different, almost magical. Of course as it warms up the frost falls away from the objects, its wisps of ice floating to the ground. But the magic, although no longer visible, is imprinted your mind. Even today, though the sun has risen to reveal a clear crisp winter's day, I can still image the beauty of the ice covered world and an extraordinary antenna.
I think that the fog is like being wrapped in a fresh understanding of the sacred nature and holiness of all creation. I listen to people who divide and hate, discriminate and denigrate everything and everyone who isn't like them: doesn't believe the same, or look the same, has different values, different circumstances or lives with another truth. Living with hate and distrust and anger colours the world dark, fills it with grey and lifelessness. But when someone finally understands that people don't have to be "just like me" to enrich our world it is like they get wrapped in that blanket and their world is touched by magic. Suddenly, there is indescribable beauty, everyone is precious and valuable and the world is filled with hope! And even when the newness of that knowledge is pushed to the background by the seeming harshness of the daily grind the truth is that the image is forever imprinted in our minds.
And the image is one of a just world, where every person is valued, where diversity is understood as the rich fabric and sacred gift of the Giver of Life. I can see it in my mind's eye and that vision has rocked my world, forever changing and shaping me as I work to recreate that beauty. And I know that as long as I draw breath I will work toward an understanding that we are human "family" and that the world is our home. I believe this is our greatest calling, to love one another and to care for our planet for these two are our only future.
Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. (MLK)
