A Sioux Indian story tells of a young flower in a desert and growing all by itself. The desert was dry and sad looking. The flower enjoyed each day, and daily it asked the Sun, "When shall I be grown up?” The Sun would reply, "Be patient, each time I touch you, you grow a little." This pleased the little flower, for she only wanted to bring beauty to the desert around her. One day a hunter came by and stepped on the little flower. She was going to die, and she felt very sad. She was not sad about dying; she was saddened knowing that she would not have a chance to bring a little beauty to the world around her. The Great Spirit saw her and listened to her prayer of lament. He thought, “She should be living.” So, the Great Spirit reached down and touched the little flower and gave her life. She grew up to be a beautiful flower, after being touched daily by the Sun, and her little part of the desert became very beautiful because of her presence.
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A friend visited my apartment today. We talked and we laughed for a while. She was my first visitor at my new apartment. When she left, I felt blessed, her presence brought beauty to my home and my heart. And, as always when touched by such Presence, I felt and feel grateful. Indeed, when such Grace touches you, you may find the same awareness of Grace is awakened within yourself. Grace awakens to Grace, even as Grace communes with Grace. Grace touches, Grace enlivens, renewing and giving fresh hope.
Grace touches us, to give us Life. Why? There is no need to explain this in grand terms, theological or mystical or philosophical. We each are touched by Grace that we might beautify the world, that when we leave here, the world will be more lovely, more graceful, more kind for our having come this way. I know, as a Chaplain working with the dying and their families, I see some of the most lovely persons leaving this world, leaving it a more beautiful world due to their having been here. I pray someone can say that of me, after my breathing a last breath. Love beautifies us, to beautify. In Grace, we are Grace for each other, we are loved and healed together.
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