As I came walking up to the large dumpster a big smile came across his face as he said, “Happy Easter! How you doin’ today?” I chuckled and responded, “And Good Friday to you!” My playful retort evoked from him, “Well, true that Mr Brian!” After a few seconds of shared laughter I asked, “John, how goes the treasure hunt?” “Good day! Good Day!” pointing to the back of his truck filled with a cacophony of metal objects, all sorts and sizes. He went on, “Folks don’t know the blessings you can find if you just look.”
I walk by that dumpster often. Not once have I thought of its contents to be a blessing. John, on the other hand, sees the possibility of new life in those things that many have given up on or never knew existed.
“Look well to the growing edge. All around us, worlds are dying and new worlds are being born. All around us, life is dying and life is being born. The fruit ripens on the tree, the roots are silently at work in the darkness of the earth against a time when there shall be new leaves, fresh blossoms, green fruit. Such as the growing edge. It is the extra breath from the exhausted lung, the one more thing to try when all else has failed. The upward reach of life when weariness closes in upon all endeavor. This is the basis of hope in moments of despair, the incentive to carry on when times are out of joint and men have lost their reason. A source of confidence when worlds crash and dreams whiten into ash. The birth of a child — life’s most dramatic answer to death — this is the growing edge incarnate. Look well to the growing edge!” – Howard Thurman
A number of years ago one of my favorite spiritual directors shared with me the concept of ‘Easter eyes’ – the capacity to live wide-eyed for the possibility of new life, especially in unexpected places. I was grateful for John’s early Easter greeting, but even more so for his invitation to see with Easter eyes. Resurrection – New life – Easter eyes. All a blessing!
BP