Pat Deckert, Good Will class, Docent, Night Prayer Circle

John 15:16
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.   

Psalm 71:23
My lips will shout for joy
when I sing praise to you—
I whom you have delivered. 

Reflection:  

Regardless of how much we love our jobs, who of us has not experienced a season– maybe a day, a week, a year, or more–of discontent whether we are at work in the outside world or even at home? Things may be rocking along so well with joy to be experienced every day and then something alters the dynamics of our space–a different mix of co-workers, new management, the imposition of new rules; add your own possibility.  

Having enjoyed a happy, successful, and long career of eagerly going to work every day and progressing through levels with no bumps in my road, I found myself targeted by a trio of ill-intentioned people. I was no match for the political climate of the institution so it did not end well.

What does this story have to do with Lent? For me, everything! I thought my life was over. Even the countless calls I received, while appreciated, did not light the darkness; however, “W,” a colleague who called immediately from a well-known non-profit in the city said, “I will call you a year from today and you will tell me what a wonderful thing this has been for you.” I doubted him, but the rest of that phone visit opened my mind to possibilities and helped me to realize that I had only lost a very small circle of people I thought were friends. I could now fully participate in daytime spiritual and service activities. I could spend week-day time with my ailing Mother. I could reacquaint myself with the healing balm of the Bible. The possibilities were/are endless.  

You know the story of the single pair of footsteps in the sand; the resurrected Christ in the persons of my St. Luke’s family and other Christians carried me during those sad days. Long before a year had gone by, I knew W’s words were true. My life was resurrected through the grace of the Risen Lord.

Prayer:
Father God, I am grateful that the resurrection of our Savior reminds us that when unexpected change comes, life is not over and that you have other work for us to do in your Kingdom. Amen.