What a lovely week it has been. I went to a theme park for the first time in a decade, I roasted s'mores on a summery evening, and said goodbye to people I only met a week ago, and yet became such close friends with. Strange, isn't it?
This week wasn't without it's unfortunate moments, though. I was upgrading something on a camera server for a health district we manage at work, and told them it would probably take 90 seconds, but as much as 15 minutes. It took three hours. All said and done, though, I feel like considering I had to literally rebuild the entire camera server up from the ground, contact two of my coworkers to have them give me some licensing info, and get on a phone call and remote session with the folks who designed the software, I'd like to think maybe that made up for it in part. Maybe. Either way, I feel both foolish, and accomplished at the same time.
But the biggest thing, for me this week has been how nice and lovely the days have become. Don't get me wrong, even that has brought on some nasty side effects- namely seasonal allergies. Boy, has it been miserable a few times for me this last week. But in perfect honesty, I love this weather, in spite of it. Last night, I was out on my back patio, watching the late evening sky, and admiring the lovely colors that the sun cast upon the nearby hills, and an interesting thing occurred to me.
It is by more than a feeling that I anticipate this region in which I live, though it is, at the moment, an oasis in the desert, practically, may one day (and perhaps very quickly, depending on how we as a people react to the impending problems) become a land of desolation. The clear skies above turn grey with dust; the pleasant grass and parks become dry dirt and rock; even the very hills with their forests become barren rock and twig. As I thought of this unfortunately very possible near future, and as I gazed at the beautiful scene before me, I thought, in my head, "well, I hope it's still yet a long ways away."
At the same time, the thought occurred to me, (and it was a difficult but honest thought), "it wasn't meant to last forever". That's the way this world is. Things come and go, and we, ourselves, come and go fastest among many things. Naturally, (and I can't emphasize it enough), we can and SHOULD do everything within reasonable power to preserve the good around us. But weather we like it or not, we have to come to terms with the fact that this world- even this universe- was not meant to be a permanent thing. But, though it's something I hold very dear and special in my heart, I will share this one thing, that through the worst of everything that happens, keeps me going. And that is this: picture the most beautiful place or setting you've ever been in, or can remember. Perhaps it wasn't even a real place- maybe it was a very beautiful landscape from a video game, or a movie. Just think about the most beautiful place you've ever seen for a moment. Now, picture that, but somehow even far more breathtaking and awe inspiring than your mind can hardly imagine. Perhaps the light that shines in that place is hue you've never seen in real life, but can faintly imagine. Maybe you've seen something like it in a dream one time. And what's more, in this place, the air is warm and clear, but not too hot; the grass beneath your feet feels like the most soft thing you've ever stood upon; the waters are more clear than the clearest crystal you've ever seen; and the sky above is filled with wonders unseen by any human eye. This place- or something similar to it- is what I believe in. It's a place that was prepared for you, for me, and everyone who has ever walked the earth. I believe, when our time comes to an end in this realm, we will see this place again (and I say again, for I think we've seen something like it before we walked this earth), and not only will it be even more beautiful than that which I've spoken, I don't think we'll hardly be able to speak a word.
I don't mind sharing this, because I really believe, and perhaps even know this is truth. And I think it helps those who are having a really hard and difficult time, to know that they can keep on going, because once we've given all we can in this life, there are even greater things waiting once our works are accomplished. In the meantime, let's you and I do our best to accomplish the purposes we have. I have mine, and you have yours. I hope you come to learn more about that purpose, and do your best to commit yourself to it.
Until then, have a nice June!