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Posted: June 11th, 2007 at 12:53am By: Rev. Kristi Denham
I have a scientific mind. I love to dig for logical answers and understandings of this amazing universe of which I am a part. I am also a person of deep faith who intuitively experiences a oneness with all of creation and a deep assurance of my creator's presence, guidance and love. Religion and science commingle in my heart and mind and soul. I love to find language to express their interconnection within me.
In conversation this week with a dear, long-term friend, about the nature of anxiety and the terrible realities that assault our sensibilities through the media and on the troubled streets of our cities and towns, I happened on a clarity brought forth by her gentle questioning. I realized that I see everything in life as about relationship.
How do I relate to my children, my family and friends? I choose to relate through love rather than fear. When worries arise, I surround them with blessings. I work to accept what is happening as a gift of experience. I search for understanding rather than leaping to anger or forgiveness when events seem hurtful. When I can't understand, I choose forgiveness. I choose love.
How do I relate to strangers in the world around me? I choose to relate through love rather than fear. I expect the best from them, treat them with kindness and as much patience as I have so far developed. I take care of myself with love and do not expose myself to obvious dangers, like walking unfamiliar streets alone at night. But when people disappoint me, I choose to try to understand what their reasons might be. I choose forgiveness when I can't figure things out. I choose love.
How do I relate to the universe of which I am a part? I choose to relate through love rather than fear. Will an earthquake or other natural disaster come? Will warfare impact my life personally? How can I respond to the terrors and tragedies of our world? I choose love. I expect to find some meaning that will ultimately flow from my experience. I will find ways to serve, to help, to heal. I will be transformed.
Is death inevitable? Yes. Do I fear it? As an unknown quantity, to some extent — yes. But I still choose love rather than fear. I choose to trust this universe, my home, and my place within it. Responding to the unknown, the challenges that lie ahead, with love sets me free from anxiety and allows me to discover the wonder, the joy, the awe that are available in every moment.
Living in an expanding universe allows me to be a part of something so magnificent and amazing, I cannot find words for the wonder I feel. I may only be a single water droplet in the ocean of being, but I am as essential to that ocean as every other droplet. I am loved. And I allow myself to experience that love and respond in kind.
It is written that "God is love" (1 John 4:8) and "Perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). I choose love.
— — —
Rev. Kristi Denham is pastor of the Congregational Church of Belmont, California (United Church of Christ). Her email address is {email RevKristi@aol.com}RevKristi@aol.com{/email}. © copyright 2007 by Kristi Denham.
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I have a scientific mind. I love to dig for logical answers and understandings of this amazing universe of which I am a part. I am also a person of deep faith who intuitively experiences a oneness with all of creation and a deep assurance of my creator's presence, guidance and love. Religion and science commingle in my heart and mind and soul. I love to find language to express their interconnection within me.
In conversation this week with a dear, long-term friend, about the nature of anxiety and the terrible realities that assault our sensibilities through the media and on the troubled streets of our cities and towns, I happened on a clarity brought forth by her gentle questioning. I realized that I see everything in life as about relationship.
How do I relate to my children, my family and friends? I choose to relate through love rather than fear. When worries arise, I surround them with blessings. I work to accept what is happening as a gift of experience. I search for understanding rather than leaping to anger or forgiveness when events seem hurtful. When I can't understand, I choose forgiveness. I choose love.
How do I relate to strangers in the world around me? I choose to relate through love rather than fear. I expect the best from them, treat them with kindness and as much patience as I have so far developed. I take care of myself with love and do not expose myself to obvious dangers, like walking unfamiliar streets alone at night. But when people disappoint me, I choose to try to understand what their reasons might be. I choose forgiveness when I can't figure things out. I choose love.
How do I relate to the universe of which I am a part? I choose to relate through love rather than fear. Will an earthquake or other natural disaster come? Will warfare impact my life personally? How can I respond to the terrors and tragedies of our world? I choose love. I expect to find some meaning that will ultimately flow from my experience. I will find ways to serve, to help, to heal. I will be transformed.
Is death inevitable? Yes. Do I fear it? As an unknown quantity, to some extent — yes. But I still choose love rather than fear. I choose to trust this universe, my home, and my place within it. Responding to the unknown, the challenges that lie ahead, with love sets me free from anxiety and allows me to discover the wonder, the joy, the awe that are available in every moment.
Living in an expanding universe allows me to be a part of something so magnificent and amazing, I cannot find words for the wonder I feel. I may only be a single water droplet in the ocean of being, but I am as essential to that ocean as every other droplet. I am loved. And I allow myself to experience that love and respond in kind.
It is written that "God is love" (1 John 4:8) and "Perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). I choose love.
— — —
Rev. Kristi Denham is pastor of the Congregational Church of Belmont, California (United Church of Christ). Her email address is {email RevKristi@aol.com}RevKristi@aol.com{/email}. © copyright 2007 by Kristi Denham.
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