Faith...

“Either you look at the universe as a very poor creation out of which no one can make anything or you look at your own life and your own part in the universe as infinitely rich, full of inexhaustible interest opening out into the infinite further possibilities for study and contemplation and interest and praise. Beyond all and in all is God.”
-Thomas Merton, _The Intimate Merton_
July 17, 1956 entry, p. 113

This was not the quote I had in mind when I picked up that book. That quote was about the wind, trees and earth. It appears I was destined to find this one instead.

I suppose some folks would think it strange that a Pagan would find wisdom in the writings of a Trappist monk. I think this is the only way to explore and strengthen one’s own faith – not by isolating yourself within the confines of your own spiritual path but by seeing others have to say as well. Holding that information up to your own beliefs and questioning what you read, hear and think.

How else are you going to know if your faith is going to hold up if you are surrounded by nothing but spiritual “yes men”?

This quote also comes after a day of what I could call "ordinary wonder." I went out to a nearby state park with some friends and three does grazed close to our picnic table. They eventually wandered farther away but one felt safe enough to lie down and nap within sight of us. After we had lunch, several titmice and a crow came within ten feet or so to eat some bread we had dropped. I'd never been so close to a wild crow before. (On a totally unrelated note: I wish I could find the URL of that British birding society that specialized in titmice. They had T-Shirts for sale with a picture of a titmouse on it, with the caption "I Love..." well, you figure it out. *wide grin*)

Crows are usually seen as wise but having a trickster side. This crow circled us a few times before we actually dropped the bread - perhaps the message here is watch for some of that inexhaustible and infinite opportunity and dare to venture near enough to grab it.

That’s it for now – I’m tired. Thanks for reading.

Ciao.