Abundance

The flower boxes of Main Street love the rain. Selah.

It’s another rainy morning in New Hampshire, and the temptation is huge to complain. “Enough already!” Until I see scenes like this while walking downtown. Lots of rain, yes, but look at the abundance here, and in our rapidly growing veggie gardens. And don’t forget how barren and naked everything feels in winter. The psalmist had it down right: 

“God, You cause the grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for people to use to bring forth food from the earth, and wine to gladden the human heart, oil to make the face shine, and bread to strengthen the human heart.” (Psalm 104:4-5)

Every day, even the rainy kind, “is a day to be thankful,” says author Ralph Marston. “Life's abundance has no limit, and gratitude is what keeps that abundance flowing. In every circumstance there is something for which to be thankful. Even when there seems to be nothing else, there is hope.”

That’s really good, but perhaps without realizing he was following the Master voice, Mark Twain takes it a good step further: “If you want love and abundance in your life, give it away.” 

Amen to that. Let it rain…

"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely you received, freely give." (Matthew 10:8)

Always There

"After all, God is God, because He remembers."— Elie Wiesel

For photos on every camera roll, for every audio recording session, for every player on a team, and for every suggestion or good idea proposed to find a solution, the four hardest words to hear are these: “didn’t make the cut.” Unwanted. Not quite as good as something else. Destined to be forgotten. No one cares, really.

And then one day, that idea that was met with silence becomes recognized as “wait, that’s actually brilliant,” the player who gave his all but was cut gets a call and becomes an integral part of the team, that song somewhere on the cutting room floor gets picked up and becomes just what someone needed to hear, and a photo taken but entirely forgotten suddenly speaks like a symphony’s fortissimo.

That empty park bench on a rainy fall day is one of those loud, "forgot I took this one," photos. It looks lonely and forgotten, too. Except look again: someone noticed. A person with a camera walked by and instead of seeing lonely and forgotten saw something beautiful instead. Seeing that B-roll photo this week was a reminder of the amazing way that God looks at us—never unwanted and forgotten, or never accepted, loved and remembered only when our performance is just right. But...

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.

    “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.

—Isaiah 55:8

"I have loved you with an everlasting love." — Jeremiah 31:3

We can't be reminded enough that we are known intimately, watched continually, and loved deeply.

“Nah, not me, though. Not today.” Well, yes, actually! 

And, as is the case more often than not, it is His Words that speak louder and better than anything we could think or say or write—but just to reinforce the truth that God's Word always extinguishes the lies, and doubts, and fears of rejection, the sound track for His Words is photos that supposedly “didn’t make the cut,” all beautiful in their own way…

"O Eternal One, You have explored my heart and know exactly who I am;

You even know the small details like when I take a seat and when I stand up again.

    Even when I am far away, You know what I’m thinking.

You observe my wanderings and my sleeping, my waking and my dreaming,

    and You know everything I do in more detail than even I know.

You know what I’m going to say long before I say it.

    It is true, Eternal One, that You know everything and everyone.

You have surrounded me on every side, behind me and before me,

    and You have placed Your hand gently on my shoulder.

It is the most amazing feeling to know how deeply You know me, inside and out;

    the realization of it is so great that I cannot comprehend it.

Can I go anywhere apart from Your Spirit?

    Is there anywhere I can go to escape Your watchful presence?

If I go up into heaven, You are there.

    If I make my bed in the realm of the dead, You are there.

If I ride on the wings of morning,

    if I make my home in the most isolated part of the ocean,

 Even then You will be there to guide me;

    Your right hand will embrace me, for You are always there.

Even if I am afraid and think to myself, “There is no doubt that the darkness will swallow me,

    the light around me will soon be turned to night,”

You can see in the dark, for it is not dark to Your eyes.

    For You the night is just as bright as the day.

    Darkness and light are the same to Your eyes.

For You shaped me, inside and out.

    You knitted me together in my mother’s womb long before I took my first breath.

I will offer You my grateful heart, for I am Your unique creation, filled with wonder and awe."

Whenever whispers of "forgotten" or "not good enough" try to creep in (and they will), it will be good to go back to that park bench photo and see things once more from God's perspective, and be amazed, and grateful, and "filled with wonder and awe." And while there, maybe practice an ancient prayer that's worth carrying in our back pocket wherever we go…

“…Breathe in, ‘You are here, Lord’ and as you breathe out, ‘And I am with You.’” 

[Updated from "Where 'Forgotten' Doesn't Exist," originally published November 2017]

Snapshots In the Stands

 That night when the older locals from my youth became me. (Photo: Heather Whipple-Simard)

Back in the day, when I roamed my high school’s gym wide-eyed and full of youthful enthusiasm, the younger me would look up into the stands and shake my head but smile at the older locals—regulars at the games who still enjoyed watching the hometown team’s game like they had watched it or played it many years ago. I imagined them beginning every sentence with “Hey, remember when?….” That younger me would think, “Geez, stop living in the past, you guys. Times have changed.” Because all smart-aleck me could see was a bright future ahead, full of who-knows-what surprises and goodness.

This week, the tables turned.

That once younger me was one of those older locals in the stands cheering on the hometown team. And in between the action, right on cue, one of the guys next to me leaned over and launched into, “Hey remember when?…” And it was beautiful. Because he described a childhood experience of growing up in our small town—a time when grade school kids excitedly raced downtown after school to buy snacks and then raced back up to the athletic fields to watch the big kids play soccer or baseball. A time when every grade was in one sprawling building on High Street and when there was no social media but when little kids really followed and looked up to someone—in awe of being in the same hallway with those huge high school kids on their way to class, and wanting to be like them someday.

A time when your heart raced when you walked into the gym for the first time in your life on a Friday night and saw teachers and classmates and a lot more of those high school heroes, and even the man who sold you the snacks downtown, and neighbors sitting and standing together to root for the hometown team. And out in the hallway, an unforgettable aroma of freshly popped popcorn, stale cigarette smoke on clothing, and a hint of spearmint gum or breath mints in the air. To this day, the aroma of popcorn at a sporting event takes me back like incense to those wonderful Friday nights.

The older me went to bed that night wondering why that is so, and why that “Hey, remember when?…” story had triggered something so deep, something beyond basketball games and growing up in a small town. It was not so much wishing I could go back in time, but it was realizing that it was a marker God had used in a young, impressionable mind to remind me later on in life of something greater and incredibly important—His undying faithfulness love and goodness through the thick and thin of childhood, youth and adulting, and the importance of community. Something so easily taken for granted.

That night in the stands was a marker of remembrance that was not unlike the stones that Joshua’s men pulled from the Jordan River to serve as a monumental reminder of how God had faithfully led His people across it and into safety… 

“Then Joshua explained again the purpose of the stones: ‘In the future,’ he said, “when your children ask you why these stones are here and what they mean, you are to tell them that these stones are a reminder of this amazing miracle—that the nation of Israel crossed the Jordan River on dry ground! Tell them how the Lord our God dried up the river right before our eyes and then kept it dry until we were all across! It is the same thing the Lord did forty years ago at the Red Sea! He did this so that all the nations of the earth will realize that Jehovah is the mighty God, and so that all of you will worship Him forever.’”—Joshua 4:21-24, Living

Markers like that, if only I will notice them, tend to show up in lots of other everyday settings, like basketball games, time and time again to drive a point straight to the heart where it belongs—to, as one pastor has said...

“Remember not to forget…Don’t forget to remember…

Remember to remember!”

Pay attention to the snapshots and photo albums from the past that parade through the memory bank—many fun, but some not. Because these are permanent markers to remind you that you need one another, and of God’s faithfulness in provision, guidance, love, grace, mercy (oh man, lots of that!), and getting through long desert seasons. As author Mark Batterson puts it: “The primary reason we lose faith is because we forget the faithfulness of God. Maybe that's why the word 'remember' is repeated 250 times in Scripture.”

By the way, I still have a something in common with that younger me (hopefully, a lot less snarky) because even though I often sit in the stands now, there is still a bright future ahead—one so bright, in fact, it has no end. But now, what that younger me didn’t know back then but was reminded of after being in the stands the other night, the way ahead while roaming this planet will have many more markers of remembrance that God will use like stones to inspire gratitude for life, and faith-building perseverance, resolve, hope, encouragement and joy for the road ahead. Markers that will shout:

“Just remember, you often won't realize you're making progress on the Journey until you pause to look back at how far you've come.”

Looking back after this week's snow, Old Dublin Road.

[ADAPTED FROM PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED, JANUARY 2020]

The Turkey Trot Parable

A chilly morning at the track, where a story comes to life.

Before sunrise two days after Thanksgiving, I had just come into the warm house after gazing in wonder at the stars twinkling away on the western horizon. Each one was perfectly in place, just as God said they would be when He put them there.

It brought a rush of comfort and peace to start the day. That would have been enough, but when I stepped back inside and warmed up with coffee and words of wisdom from good books and The Book, I jotted down four seemingly random, unconnected themes that, as I pondered them, were not random or unconnected at all.

In fact, they were an eye-opening reminder of what makes for a satisfying life and a fruitful Walk—and a daily mission of things to give, pursue and be:

Giving…not just your resources to those in need, but your gifts, talents, abilities and time.

Persevering…in every aspect of life, refusing to quit or become complacent.

Encouraging…this is huge. The Bible tells me so. What the world needs now.

Seeking…the last thing I read but really the lynch pin of all the rest; to keep seeking first the King and His kingdom, and everything else—giving, persevering, encouraging—will flow out of that. Flow out of me.

As I pondered some more, all the fullness and sluggishness from turkey, stuffing and apple pie from two days earlier seemed to be replaced by something light and energizing. Something so Heaven-sent and yet so practical for carrying God’s light within me to the people and places of every single day…

“Giving is the secret to a healthy life. Not necessarily money, but whatever a person has to give of encouragement, sympathy, and understanding.”

—John D. Rockefeller

And while pondering, I was reminded of the Turkey Trot from Thanksgiving morning, and how I also came away energized and not exhausted and wondered why. Maybe because it was where those four seemingly random themes came together. Which reminded me of a parable for this Journey from a Trot not many years ago...

Every half-mile, they were there. Cheering, shouting, encouraging, applauding.

As if you were the only one running this race. Except there are many, many others.

These teammates of encouragement are not hired hands.

They are all on the same team, and they had run this race already, and they knew its course well.

They knew where the steep hills and unexpected twists and turns were, and cheered louder.

“Great job! You can do this! Wooooooo!”

You hear that, and you notice your pace quicken, energized and less labored than when running alone.

Persevering, one step at a time.

And just when you don’t think you could gulp oxygen fast enough, there they are again:

“You’re doing great! Half-way there!” Low-five hand slaps as you run by.

Then…stretches of middle-of-nowhere... and nothing but the sound of pounding feet and labored breath.

No cloud of witnesses anywhere in sight. There’s only way one to turn: Up.

“O God, help!”

And as you seek, you find that He is still with you, cheering perhaps louder than all the rest.

And you find that it is here when men, women, youth, children, each take on their in-race cheering roles as they run alongside or pass one another. Where have I heard this before?:

"One generation shall praise Your works to another,

And shall declare Your mighty and remarkable acts." (Psalm 145:4)

But not just the older to younger, but younger to older, too. 

Hope rises.

And around the bend and into the warm sun, voices of another cheering throng:

“Keep going! One mile to go! Well done!”

The last leg of the journey, on your last legs, your mind screaming “give it up already!”

But perseverance kicks in again with an unexplainable spring in your step as you hear the cheers and feel the warmth running through your veins of running with purpose—even with a whole bunch of strangers, and yet family.

A spring in your step from coming alongside someone more than twice as young but struggling for breath: “C’mon, you and me, we can do this!” (There is no “i” in t-e-a-m.)

Giving…encouragement…hope. And getting it in return.

And then, the finish line in sight, and one more much-needed cheer—this time, an exclamation point from someone older and wiser:

“You’re almost there…now, pick up your pace! Go!”

What words of wisdom!

Then, that glorious line in the road, the stop watch, and the roar of a crowd of people you never met.

...Almost like heaven.

“So encourage each other and give each other strength [build each other up], just as you are doing now.”

—1 Thessalonians 5:11, Expanded

The Captain In Our Field

Autumn in the field, Elmwood Road, Hancock.

 “In every situation, no matter what the circumstances, be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”—1 Thessalonians 5:18, Amplified

In times like these, it is good to remember that scripture doesn’t say to be thankful “for” all things but “in” them.

Because while many things in our world are upside down and chaotic...

“The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty.”

Still.

He is not some quarterback in the stands watching the game unfold,

Wondering if the players will ever get it right as the game seems to get out of control.

In a type-and-shadow sort of way, He is like, well, the way running back Damien Harris describes Patriots quarterback and captain Mac Jones:

"He's a great leader, he's a great player, he's an incredibly hard worker and he's an even better friend. So, whenever you take all of those attributes and you put them into one person, it's easy to see why so many people gravitate towards him, and why so many people want to be around him and want to follow him.”

And better than that, even (of course!) because our God is the faithful, 24/7 unseen Captain on our daily field in this crazy world,

From the rising of the sun to its setting.
Our Captain of our Salvation is unfazed by wind and cold and storm...and headlines.

His decisions are always perfect and unwavering.
And He often calls amazing audibles, and plays that are not in our playbook and that don’t make sense
Until at just the right time, they do.

Even if we don't realize it until we look back later.

And they always will...

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

Even in the midst of things, we can be thankful for our Captain in our field because of these promises and so many more:

“You shall call His name Emmanuel, which means God with us.”

“I will never leave you or forsake you.”

“Lo, I AM with you always…

“Jesus...the same yesterday today and forever.”

“God, God, a God of mercy and grace, endlessly patient—so much love, so deeply true—loyal in love for a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin.”

“Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”

“Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary.”

Mac Jones is terrific (and so is Bailey Zappe)

But there is no Captain like our Captain

Which means no matter how nuts this life or this world gets, we can always grab ahold of the Hope that is never wishful thinking

And follow His lead 

And give thanks that He is never watching from the stands.

Fullness at Turn Two

Heading toward Turn Two earlier this spring.

Sometimes, you can be minding your own business and the oddest things happen.

Yesterday morning’s run at the high school track was like that—loop after loop, gulps of cool air, an incredibly beautiful cloud cover, the nearby shouts of the football team at their first workout of the season, waking up and feeling fine, and having the lanes all to myself. And then as I rounded turn two, I noticed a car had pulled over and someone was approaching the fence with a camera. 

First thought: “You lookin’ at me? And who-the-heck are you?” A little creepy at first, but as I kept running, I chose to believe the guy was taking a photo of the football team in the distance instead. But just maybe, he stopped because he wondered “why do people do this—running around and around on a track in the early morning? It looks… boring.” 

And the guy would have a point. But he’d also have no idea. Because though making time to run was the last thing I should have been doing to start an incredibly busy day, and though it may have seemed boring and routine to others, that weird little photo incident was a reminder that what I had taken time to do was the most important thing I should be doing. Every day...

“People sometimes sneer at those who run every day, claiming they'll go to any length to live longer. But don't think that's the reason most people run. Most runners run not because they want to live longer, but because they want to live life to the fullest.”

I have never met marathon runner Haruki Murakami, who said that, but I can relate to him. He is a career writer and has spent many hours behind a desk. Check. He did not start running until later in life. Check. He began as a way to stay healthy and counter his sedentary every day working position. Check.

And most of all, because he wanted to “live life to the fullest.” Check. In my case, it was to take seriously the words of Jesus,

“I have come in order that you might have life—

life in all its fullness.” (John 10:10)

Because there is a thief that is constantly trying to rob us all of the goodness of life, both in this world and the promise of the world to come. Running in endless circles on a track can seem crazy to people driving by, but yesterday was a reminder that no matter how much stuff there is to do and process, living life in all its fullness begins by starting the day right on the right foot (whether you are a runner or not)—with prayer, with gratitude, with thankfulness.

Three things easily forgotten or taken for granted.

And as I often do on a run, the mish-mash of thoughts going through my brain on that boring-looking track yesterday looked something like this…

Today is another day that the Lord has made,

And before doing another thing, even before that first sip of coffee,

Before planning and scheming the day ahead,

Rejoice, even if just a little bit—which means don’t just feel gratitude, express it.

Give Him praise from whom every single blessing flows! (James 1:17)

Including that your life is a gift and the giver is God alone,

Because He alone “gives us life, and breath in our lungs, and everything else.” (Acts 17:26)

This day may seem full or it may seem like just another day, but don’t be fooled;

Remember that every day is His day, and for His glory, and how I walk—even run—through it really matters.

“OK, then, let’s do this!”

Wait…first, don’t forget to pray at all times, and as you go (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and especially for these:

Pray for wisdom on how to proceed, for what you know about already and the unplanned.

And “if you don’t have all the wisdom needed for this journey, then all you have to do is ask God for it; and God will grant all that you need. He gives lavishly and never scolds you for asking.” (James 1:5, Voice)

And pray, too, for an undivided heart (Psalm 86:11) that stays soft and pliable in the hands of its Maker throughout the day.

Especially when it is prone to wander or become hardened by the things and voices of this world that continually scream (lie) that they are more important or desirable.

And don’t forget to pray for others…family, friends in need, and how you will interact with all the people that come across your path today:

“Pray always. Pray in the Spirit. Pray about everything in every way you know how! And keeping all this in mind, pray on behalf of God’s people. Keep on praying feverishly, and be on the lookout until evil has been stayed.” (Ephesians 6:18)

And even if (and when) I veer off course on this day’s journey, or my heart and flesh fail,

Remember to end the day as you’re doing now, even out of breath:

Give Him praise from whom all blessings flow!

From beginning to end, today is another day that the Lord has made, so keep on running…

“Let us be full of joy and be glad in it!” (Psalm 118:24, NLV)

This is living life in all its fullness.

What's Good?

Remembering some very important words from a warmer day...

Really, who feels like doing anything at 5:45 a.m.? But if you want to run in a favorite place, you have to get there early in the summer before it gets too hot. Still, I was tired of the hour, of the humidity that saps all energy, from the week of brain drain, and especially from hearing endless bad news. (Even if you minimize TV and radio, there’s always someone on social media eager to remind you how bad things are.) But running is good for all of that because it is about moving forward, one foot in front of the other, in all kinds of weather.

And as I rounded the first corner, the early morning sun shone in my face, and a cool breeze came from the side. Along with it, two simple words that needed to come out of my mouth:

“Thank You.”

And though I couldn’t recall where it came from at the time, these words came to mind:

"In every situation, no matter what the circumstances, be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus."

—1 Thessalonians 5:18, Amplified

In every situation.

Not for every situation.

In the midst of them.

Simply because that’s where He always is.

So, I stopped thinking about how tired I was and put God’s Word to the test. I stopped dwelling on what's wrong and started speaking what's good. I started thanking Him for the sunrise and the cool breeze and every little thing I could remember from the past week...The smell of the coffee. The ripple of the river. The many good people who crossed my path, helped or said something encouraging. A good night’s sleep. Safe travels. Family. Faithful dogs I’ve owned and those I can smile at and pat as they walk by. A great game. A beaten deadline. Breathing. Running. Music. Someone’s jaw-dropping photos. Laughter that breaks the tension. The four seasons of New England, even endless winter. The sound of rain on the roof and the sight of the daily morning-glory horizon cresting the mountain.

And especially, Jesus, yesterday today and forever, full of grace and truth (whether I “feel” it or not). The timelessness of the Word. Promises I can stand on. Faith, even the mustard seed kind. Hope….

And before I realized it, I had come to the end of my run, forgetting how I got from there to here. More than that, I was once again back to that simple place I needed to be in the first place: grateful for His unfailing love and faithfulness in every situation, that never, ever quits. All the cares and weariness were back in their rightful place: out of my hands and into His. Which makes it easier to pray for the hard stuff. ...“If You can do all of this and so much more, if You can make heaven and earth with just one word, then surely you can do anything."

“Ah, Lord God! It is You who have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for You.”—Jeremiah 32:17

It's good to be reminded that this Journey is not always as super-spiritual as we try to make it, but, rather, it is life to the full — just as He promised —in the midst of all of its circumstances, and through them. He is in it all. It just takes two words to get the right perspective back…

“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is 'thank you,' it will be enough.”

—Meister Eckhart

Thankful

Photo: Hannah Skelly @unsplash.com

"To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything."—Thomas Merton

Outside, the air was November-brisk. Inside, all was warm with good food, conversation and gales of laughter. Friday was another wonderful Friday night in my little hometown. Until I suddenly realized it was more than that.

I think I first noticed it when the happy vibes of the restaurant became so vibey that our server had to lean in to hear what we wanted to order. And to the left, a large table of friends had gathered to happily celebrate someone’s special occasion, although I couldn’t tell what exactly. It didn’t really matter. What struck me was…a sudden wave of thanksgiving, gratitude and an answer to a strangely-worded prayer. It wasn’t all that long ago, really….

…While taking an evening walk in my little hometown in late March of last year, I remember being so struck with the sadness of seeing neighbors avoiding one another and crossing to the other side of the street when they saw you coming. Everything was on COVID lockdown and safety awareness. No dining out, no gathering with friends at the game or in church—for days, for weeks, and sometimes for months—and every feeling within had a very deep, mournful “this ain’t right” sigh to it. And I remember writing afterwards: 

“I want my community back—my hometown and its neighborly sidewalks, my co-workers, my friends at Nonie’s and at church….When this is over, I know there will be nothing sweeter than being able to stand shoulder to shoulder with the hometown crowd cheering and shouting at the basketball game, or…

...going to the loudest restaurant I can find just so I can hear people laugh with one another…”

 

And here it was! It had happened! This thing may never be fully over, but we have come out on the other side after all. And not only that,  just as I strangely prayed, I got to stand shoulder to shoulder with the hometown crowd cheering and shouting at a soccer game (basketball hasn’t started yet), and now here I was delighting in “the loudest restaurant I can find just so I can hear people laugh with one another.”

What seemed impossible 18 months ago, and even only dimly possible this spring, all came together in thankfulness in that hometown restaurant on Friday night. And those sidewalks of avoidance? They have been replaced by friendly nods or a “hello!” (miracle alert—New Englanders just don’t do that), and while there are still face coverings, there are more frequent unveilings of  “hey, I remember you now!” smiles of neighbors and friends.

The meal and service and friendship in “the loudest restaurant I can find so I can hear people laugh with one another” were fantastic. But the best part may have been the Thanksgiving take-out menu I reminded myself to carry with me this week and all the other weeks to come, to remember to be thankful for all blessings huge and small, and especially to remember the Source of them all…

…Thank You that “I lay down and slept safely; I awakened, for You sustained me.” (Psalm 3:5)

Thank You that no matter what the headlines say, “This is the day that You have made, so I will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)

Thank You for family, friends and the air I breathe, that You alone “give life and breath to everything, and satisfy every need.” (Acts 17:25)

Thank You that no matter what others may think of me or what I think of myself, that in Your eyes, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14)

Thank You for the “incredible quality of love You have shown to us, that we would be permitted to be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are!”  Wow. (1 John 3:1)

Thank You that even on those days when I feel alone—even in a crowd—I’m not because Your name is “God with us” and You have promised “never will I leave you, never will I abandon you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

Thank You that though truthfulness is lacking in a big way all around us, I know I can trust You because “it is impossible for God to lie.” (Hebrews 6:18)

Thank You that in a world with too much deception and lack of integrity, You alone are “not a human who changes his mind. Whatever You promise, You do; You speak, and it is done.” (Numbers 23:19)

Thank You that no matter how chaotic and out of control this world may look, “The earth belongs to You, and everything in it — the world and all its people.” (Psalm 24:1)

Thank You for the reminder that being thankful “strengthens my faith.” (Colossians 2:6-7)

And thank You especially that no matter what, You never quit on anything or in the midst of any bleak situation, that “You are good and Your love endures forever.” (Psalm 106:1)

“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.—Meister Eckhart