THE SITUATION WILL CHANGE

“Be grateful for the calm when it comes. The situation will change.” Rumi

I read the words above early December 20th. I am writing what you are reading the following day. I underlined the words and its coupling “Enlightenment does not arrive because of anything we do,” because they resonated deeply to me. The absolute truth in both statements was manifested as the day unfolded on December 20th.

I’ve written multiple times over the years about the - old dog – that came to be a part of our family about ten years ago. He was my son’s dog but claimed by my husband as, “my doggy,” and in the later years, I became the dog’s favorite human. Canaan (the dog), after a few days of extreme lethargy was taken at 9 AM to the vet and collapsed on the waiting room floor upon entering the clinic. Subsequently, he was transported to an animal emergency hospital where we received the grim news. Without costly intervention, Canaan’s death was imminent. Three and a half hours after collapsing, he peacefully left us.

As I sat quietly reflecting on the previous day the following morning, the words, “Be grateful for the calm when it comes. The situation will change,” impinged upon my thought. My previous day started calmly, uneventfully and without undue drama…just the way I like for them to begin. One phone call from a very shaken adult son interrupted the day I had planned…calmness exited.

Looking back, I don’t remember having been especially grateful for the serenity of my day’s beginning. I have become accustomed to this being the case and stopped being overtly thankful for the priceless gift. The situation changed.

Reviewing photos of 2022, I came across pictures and videos taken of Canaan at Thanksgiving when I dog sat, exactly one month earlier. He had been vibrant and alive. The situation changed.

All that I possess for sure is the breath being taken – the next one and the 21,000 that I take in a 24 hour are a gift – not promised but expected nonetheless…” Enlightenment does not arrive because of anything that I do.”

“The goodest dog,” “My doggy,” “the old dog,” died as he lived, calmly (no drama or fanfare) and eating treats to the very end. When the vet entered the room, unable to rise to greet her as he would have had he been physically able, he wagged his tail.

In the calmness of my morning the next day, I held out the apron of my heart to gather what I had learned about gratitude for calmness knowing the situation will change.

Colossians 3:15

PONDER THIS THOUGHT---Take nothing for granted – be intentionally grateful for everything.