Appreciating God's Gifts

Friends and Nature God's Gifts

There are reminder daily, when we are paying attention, of God's gifts, his wonderful gifts.  Today I was reminded of that with a phone call and then later just by taking a second look at nature.

This morning my phone rings and it was early, earlier than I am used to waking, but it was as it turns out a nice gift.  It was my friend Kim, whom I have known for over 35 years.  We lived in the same building and I watched her kids grow up, even used to babysit.  Even when I moved out of Soho and to the Financial District, we never lost touch and the bond stayed strong.  We have both made our own journey in terms of life, family, spirituality, and though she is Universalist Esoteric and I am Conservative Christian, we share values in terms of both really having a clear sense of life being sacred, that we should have self dignity and respect, having learned those lessons, and other points as well.  We are supportive of each other's creative gifts and each other's gifts in general.   As we discussed the horror of Common Core, the erosion of liberties in America and other issues, we thought about how great it would be to get together weekly, have discussions on different bible topics, chapters etc..., even youtube philosophies, art a range of subjects, news stories, record it and post it on youtube.  Later when I was sitting in the cafe, I thought about how great it would be if we went on retreat, a Catholic retreat, something she would be open to for a week and then we could write about it together.  As I looked at some trees trying to bloom with this late spring, thought about the great morning, I realized how wonderful God is and the great gifts he gives us in terms of true friendships, nature and so much more, how we bitch and complain, rather than being grateful.  I just really have to step back and be much more grateful, more often for the good stuff, and ignore the health annoyances, even with the pain etc... they cause.  I have to thank the Lord more for the good stuff because when one really pays attention, there is good, there are great gifts, if we can appreciate them.

Shalom and Amen