Take Life!

Words of wisdom as employees are losing long term jobs or being dispersed to various locations in a business consolidation. A theme of life's choices, opportunities, and hope.

There is nothing I can give to you which you do not already have
but there is much, very much more, that while I cannot give, you can take...

No Heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in today -- Take Heaven.
No Peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present little instant -- Take Peace.
The gloom of the world is but a shadow. Behind it, yet within our reach is Joy -- Take Joy.

There is radiance and glory in the darkness, could we but see,
and to see, we have only to look -- I beseech you to look.

Life is so generously given, but we,
judging its gifts by their covering,
cast them away as ugly or heavy or hard.
Remove the covering and you will find beneath it a living splendor,
woven of Love by Wisdom with Power.

Welcome it, grasp it and you touch the angel's hand that brings it to you.
Everything we call a trial, a sorrow, or a duty, the Angel's hand is there.
The gift is there, and the wonder of an overshadowing Presence
Our joys, too, be not content with them as joys. They too conceal more diviner gifts.

Life is so full of meaning and purpose, so full of beauty -- beneath its covering --
that you will find earth but cloaks your Heaven.

Courage then to claim it, that is all --
But the courage you have; and the knowledge that we are pilgrims together --
wending through unknown country home.

-- Fra Giovanni, 1513

This insightful piece was shared in the farewell issue (April 1999) of our clinic newsletter, as the clinic is underwent a consolidation process with a local hospital. Many employees who had worked together for years were losing jobs or being separated as a result of this. I am delighted to share these words of wisdom in the midst of change.

But remember...
It's "the wonder of an overshadowing Presence" mentioned above that makes the difference. We can only experience the fullness of what life has to offer by
Knowing God.