THE IMMEASURABLE

THE IMMEASURABLE

On a recent weekend in upper New York State, a forester and a few interested parties attempted to measure the size of an ancient Sycamore Tree estimated to be about 200 years old.  Unfortunately the only way to get an accurate measure is to cut the tree down and count its rings, which would be ridiculous.  Finally, after hours climbing the immense branches and measuring their girth and width, they still didn’t have what could be called a true measure. They then began to realize that there might be some things that are immeasurable such as the depth of a mother’s love for example, or the depth of grief.  

Imagine then the depth of the love of God, which is immeasurable, unfathomable and undeniable.  It seems sometimes that our prayers reflect what seems to be doubt that God hears us.  We are so wrapped up in our own little worlds, worrying about everything, questioning everything, and doubting the future, that we fail to understand how truly wonderful it is to recognize the presence of God in our lives.  

We were meant to join our lives to God, to take heart and as the bible reminds us:   

“Be still, and know that I am God.’  (Psalm 46:10)

I once heard a man say, “I know that God directs my life, but I am not sure He understands I hate mysteries”. 

We have to know and believe that God understands us completely. We have no secrets from God.  That may sound daunting, but think of how wonderful it is to have someone in your life with whom you can be perfectly honest.   Jesus consistently greeted his disciples with, “Peace be with you.” Where else could that peace come from except from absolute trust that God is with us.

At the end of the film, The Mortal Storm (1940), there is a long shot of an open door with light spilling out on the snow but all around it is darkness.  The voice-over says,

“I came to the gate and asked the gatekeeper, “Give me a light, that I may see.” The gatekeeper replied, “Go out in the dark and take the hand of God.  It is better than a light and safer than the known way.” (From a poem by Minnie Haskins)

Whenever anxiety, fear or doubt creeps in, reminding myself of this quotation, I confidently take the hand of God and I am strengthened. Try it. You’ll like it.

Blessings,

Carol Lemelin OPA