Reflection

July 3, 2023

In spiritual reflection, we sit in stillness, turn things over in our minds and ponder them in our hearts. Then particular things come to mind. Some of these things come to mind because our soul is unsettled about them. So our soul contemplates the situation in search of a place of peace.

A place of peace is not necessarily being in a state of having reached a definitive answer. Instead, it is a settled attitude concerning a situation that had disturbed us. For example Frank, the neighbor, directed water from his yard onto Brandon’s. The unpleasant situation made Brandon uneasy because he and Frank had gotten along fine and the two families had become friends. But it seemed to Brandon and his wife Marsha like the redirected water was an inconsiderate act of selfishness.

Brandon went through the usual stages of indignance, anger and fantasies of reprisal. Then came the rains that brought vast amounts of water from the neighbor’s yard into theirs. This made him even more unsettled and disturbed. He could not redirect his thoughts away from the turmoil. Finally, when his emotions calmed down, Brandon sat still and reflected on this situation in light of his soul’s yearning for peace.

Brandon reflected on the friendship and the nice things the neighbor had done for his family over the years, like helping to remove debris from their yard after storms and feeding their cats when they were out of town. Reflecting on the situation freed Brandon from the anger he was locked into because the positive recollections neutralized the anger. For the time being, his new-found place of peace would be to live in the thought that the neighbor did not consciously know the result that the redirected water would bring to Brandon.

He kept this place of peace for a while, which totally rearranged his stance regarding the situation. It was as if his anger had lifted and he could think clearly about how to approach Frank. Brandon eventually went to his friend without rage and said, “Frank, you must not be aware that the new ditch you built drains right into my yard. Can we get out there together and redirect the ditch to the creek in the back?” Frank said, "Oh my gosh, of course. I thought my yard would absorb any water long before it got to you.”

Inquiry: What situation would be helpful for you to reflect upon spiritually?

Dear God,

I give you thanks and praise for the stillness; in it, I find my places of peace. Amen.

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