New Paths, New Views, New Perspectives

Recently I took a nice long walk along a new path by the water. The first I have had in a while, and the first one since my latest life pivot brought me to a new location for an extended stay. Naturally, there are significant differences in scenery around my home in New England compared to that in Louisiana and Mississippi, which I'm most familiar with.

Of course, I knew I was coming to much colder weather, but I have to chuckle at what the locals call warm weather. I get that temps in the forties are much more tolerable than the brutal blizzard they experienced recently. But when they ask me if I'm enjoying this warm weather, I have to laugh and reply, "Well, I left 80-degree temps, so I haven't quite warmed up yet." Thankfully, the day temps are flirting with the 70s now! The climate here is gently stepping out of winter into spring rather than charging straight into summer like the South. And when the sun begins to set, it feels like winter all over again.

The variation of the beautiful landscape and architecture was my biggest surprise. This area breathes the deep history rooted in the foundations and flora. Stone fences lined with daffodils remind me of my trip to Ireland last summer. British Colonial homes leap from the US history books as I walk by. Mansions from the Gilded Age take me back in time to the elegance of days gone by. A trip to the grocery store reveals the myriad heritages of local consumers by the interesting fare for sale. I've not ventured very far from home yet, but I'm settling in nicely and have already learned a lot.

I'm walking new paths near new waters with new views where the wind blows fiercely, the sun shines more softly, and the hills challenge my steps. I've learned that I need far less and was more attached to things than I thought. After being stationary for more than half of my life, I've reconnected with my adventurous, curious younger self. I've learned once again to let go of rigid schedules that I followed mainly for the comfort of sameness.

In my new space, I cannot maintain my habit of meeting the Lord in daily Mass and weekly Adoration. These days, I grasp the fullness of His loving presence in tiny voices, precious smiles, delightful giggles, and squishy hugs. I am blessed to serve God by helping my son's young family. I'm amazed to look back over my lifetime and see how I have transitioned from first growing up in a full house, then moving out and living alone for a few years, then back to growing my own full house, then learning to embrace the silent space of living alone again, and now back to embracing the immense joy found in the constant motion of a big family.

Packing for six months away from home was not an easy task. As I sorted through my things, I had to reach deeply within my truest self to decide what was worth transporting, what was worth storing, and what was ready for release to serve someone else better. It was my third time downsizing in the past 5 years. I thought I had purged pretty well before, and I even donated more furniture and belongings this go-round, but when it came to determining what was worth hauling into a storage unit to turn around in six months and haul into a new home (the size and location yet to be determined), I struggled. I needed the grace of viewing my "stuff" from a new perspective.

Memories aren't held in the material items; they are cradled in my heart.

Despite my packing, sorting, and discerning efforts, I still filled up a storage unit. I worried I would miss my favorite cozy reading chair, my favorite comfy bed, my leisurely mornings, my open schedule, and the gorgeous sunsets along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. But I'm getting along quite comfortably, fully charged for active days from first light to late night, and from my bedroom window, I get to watch the sun setting over a beautiful bay that connects with the Atlantic Coast. It’s a lovely new perspective. I'm really not missing much that's in all of those filled, taped boxes I found worthy of storing. I'm content and happy to live in a shared space with shared chores, food, fun, much love, and mutual respect.

Makes me think of the first Christian communities featured in Tuesday's Readings. Nicodemus gained a new perspective on the meaning of life from the witness of Jesus. Barnabas and the early believers gained a new perspective on community from the witness of the Apostles.

The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. With great power the Apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the Apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need.

We, believers, lost that great spirit of love, togetherness, and care for all somewhere along the way. We turned to separateness; 'mine' vs 'yours' with little to no room for 'ours'. Will we ever gain back that beautiful expression of love for all of God's creation? Will we ever be able to truly put what He wants for us first, before our own desires?

I thought I had been doing pretty OK with my expression of service, care, and generosity. Turns out, I still have a long way to go. Much more from that storage unit will most likely be purged and gifted when I return to the Gulf Coast in the Fall. I'll keep walking new paths and seeking new views to gain a new perspective and discover what God has planned for my life going forward.

The Apostle Thomas thought he was doing pretty OK, too, after Jesus died. He felt the weight of their responsibilities as the closest followers and students of Jesus to figure out what was next. We heard on the Second Sunday of Easter how Jesus gave Thomas the space to doubt, and mercifully gave Thomas what he sought ~ tangible proof. Thomas needed to see the new view of Jesus with nailmarks and open side to believe that He had risen. He gained a new perspective on how to proceed with their Mission.

Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

This coming Third Sunday of Easter, we will hear what happened when Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Like Thomas in the Upper Room, these followers of Jesus were distraught and trying to figure out what was next. They had poured everything into Jesus' ministry. His death left them feeling defeated. Even though the Resurrected Christ walked and talked with them, they didn't recognize Him until they settled down for a meal. When the Lord took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, they saw Jesus from a different view and gained a new perspective.

We have to believe even though we don't see Jesus walking with us or standing in our midst, showing us the marks of His Crucifixion. We may need to walk a new path and take in a new view to see the Resurrected Jesus. Then we become Blessed Believers seeing His hands in the hands of the weak, seeing His side in the wounds of the hurting, and seeing His new life in the beauty of small children, the newly baptized, the blossoming flowers, and all that brings a smile to our face and joy in our hearts.

Let's devote these remaining weeks of Easter to looking for signs of Jesus in our midst. Try a new path, take in a new view, and gain a new perspective.