It Will Be Alright

A while ago I wrote this post. The image in the post is still catching my attention. I'm needing to hear what it's saying today.

The Tears of the Father - Henri Nouwen

Another thought from Henri Nouwen

The Tears of the Father

The father in the story of the prodigal son suffered much. He saw his younger son leave, knowing the disappointments, rejections and abuses facing him. He saw his older son become angry and bitter, and was unable to offer him affection and support. A large part of the father's life has been waiting. He could not force his younger son to come home or his older son to let go of his resentments. Only they themselves could take the initiative to return.

During these long years of waiting the father cried many tears and died many deaths. He was emptied out by suffering. But that emptiness had created a place of welcome for his sons when the time of their return came. We are called to become like that father.

In the news...

Green Tea is good for the Heart

Mediterranean Crossing - the issue of North African refugees trying to gain access to Europe. I visited a refugee camp for these refugees when I was in Malta earlier this year.

Things I've Done

These are some of the things I've done so far today:

• dropped my roommate at the train station and driven myself to work
• printed 5000 client labels to be attached to envelopes for an upcoming mailout
• scheduled a courier for a package
• obtained a missing invoice from a hotel for a volunteer stay a month ago
• input the data into two months worth of expense reports for my boss
• changed the water filter in our coffee maker
• sipped at a cup of roiibos tea
• confirmed a hotel reservation for an upcoming trip I'm making
• listened all the way through 2 Chris Rice albums
• traded facebook wall messages with my brother who will soon be returning home from England

It's been an oddly productive morning - oddly productive without feeling stressed or rushed. Here's hoping that continues through the day.