A Bunny, A Squirrel and 2 Deer

While so many things seemed to almost miraculously fall into place for all the initial GK prep, now the details and the little stuff needing to be done before we leave seem to have accumulated quickly to a whole lot of work. It's been difficult to keep focused on the fact that all the little steps (moving out of my apartment, leaving work and saying goodbye to a lot of people who have impacted me incredibly, getting shots and a visa, making the plane ticket arrangements, seeing all the people I want to before I go, saying goodbye to dear family and friends etc etc etc) add up to the bigger picture of the wonderful work of Gawad Kalinga. So as much as I may occasionally freak out a bit by all the little stuff piling up, I continue to be blessed by even this process of preparing to go. I shouldn't be amazed that I'm blessed. I know I am, but how and when God reminds me astounds. Foremost in my mind right now are the people he has put in my life to be examples indirectly and directly. As direct as telling me to shut up and listen because I needed to take a minute and hear what I already knew but on which I wasn't acting . As indirectly as only sharing their own faith and journey because of their passion and not realizing that they are lighting the dark places of those around them. Some of my darker places have been lit recently and with good cause. I had lost a bit of perspective and even a bit of the passion as I got bogged down in the details of getting all these things done. I didn't see them as part of the journey, but as obstacles to overcome before the next part of my life. In wanting that, I took away the power of the present moment and all it has to offer me. Luckily, God brought me back to the present moment and the wonders of his work all around me - both right here in the now, and in what awaits me when that time has come. This morning on my way to work, I was brought out of my morning prayer by the sight of a bunny and a squirrel sitting in a way that just hit me. (for me bunnies have this "God is present" reminder attached to them for multiple reasons - so I really get excited over bunnies). I saw these two and thought, gee, all it needs now is a deer and it would be perfect - it would sum up wonderfully. (Yes, I work in the city, but I'm blessed enough to have about 20 deer on the property where I work). Then out of the corner of my my eye I see a fawn, with its mom only a few seconds behind. Since it was not very near the bunny, it reminded me of the importance of perspective. God is present, but not always how we want or where we want, because really, its not about what we want. Yet God, in his infinite love and graces has provided us with new opportunities each moment to renew ourselves in his presence, even if the moment before we turned a blind eye and instead of seeing him, only saw the deer, bunny and squirrel as a coincidence and not the reminder that God is everywhere always answering us. To keep the momentum going (it does take work on our part - not everything gets to be easy as all 4 of us getting the miraculous 5 days off without much notice), and in preparation for my GK presentation to my residents, I was reviewing ANCOPs website, our blog and Dianne's. Dianne's blog was fabulous - she had pictures of her first build and then amazing sharings too. It wasn't that I needed affirmation of my decision to join GKBC - I still feel God's calling me there - but it was the spark that reignited the flames of passion I had let flutter as I got caught up in tidying up loose ends here. I was caught completely unaware that something as simple as reading someone else's experiences would cause that passion to return. (honestly, that might also be a large inspiration to finally add something again to our own blog as well - besides Patrick's reminders ;-) ) Really, we never know what will be a light for someone else. Certainly we can all strive to be light to all people at all times, but honestly, we know we are not perfect. Though our light will flicker, we need to be open and aware to the many ways God calls us, refreshing, renewing and reigniting our passion and our vocation to follow his will for our life. My prayer for us all is that we are each able to recognize whatever form our bunnies take - to be reminded that we are never alone. That when God invites us into his abundant life and love, we respond, giving of ourselves freely however we are asked. God Bless