“The world for which you have been so carefully
prepared is being taken away from you,' he said, 'by the grace of God.' (Walter
Brueggemann)”
― Barbara Brown Taylor, Leaving Church: A Memoir
of Faith
_________________________________________________
I try so hard
to plan my life
my days and weeks
and years
unfold according to plans
thought out
documented
codified on calendars
carved into my brain
and into my heart
and then
it all unravels
life is full of surprises
life changes
shit happens
by the grace of God
not that God orchestrates what happens – oh no
God does not need my help in that regard!
it is all too often my own foolishness
or the foolishness of others
that creates the chaos
but the Sacred Presence I carry within
Spirit (with capital S)
It is that which creates
(as it always has)
new worlds out of my worlds
new beginnings
galore
by the grace of God
__________________________________
Some historical notes:
I was a “hot shot” Presbyterian Pastor
big church and everything
I screwed up
God created a new direction with Northwest Medical
Teams
one of the richest experiences of my life
helping the poorest of the poor
I left NWMTI to go to a program that was a
disaster (and will remain unnamed)
only to land, because of contacts made there
with Oregon Health Science University
and the amazing Department of Family Medicine
then
surprise, a decision
made while on a trip to Baku, Azerbaijan
(OHSU gave me such great opportunities)
to head to Wallowa County
where I got a job in a field I knew nothing about
another degree, and 13 years later
some “gently” suggested it was time to step back
from being the Executive Director of Center for
Wellness
(one of the best community mental health programs
around)
(PS, I am still very much involved there, but my
role has changed)
Surprise
there is only one question left
what new adventures does God have in mind for
this rather “iffy” soul J
Blessings my friends
Never give up
Never quite
There is a new world coming
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