Some Thoughts Before A Weekend
Remembering an Acquaintance
Over the years we meet people who have a profound impact on our lives. Having spent several weeks listening to Henri Nouwen and sitting at dinner with him on three occasions, he feels like a friend but a better term is probably “acquaintance.” Henri was walking to work one day and was struck by the mirror of a passing motorist. His injuries took him to the door of death but he did recover and wrote a wonderful reflection on life and death. The book is titled Beyond the Mirror.
The rhythms of the past week have brought me near to a number of folks who are reflecting on the end of life, grief, loss, and recovery from serious illnesses or diseases. For whatever reason, Henri came to mind. The following excerpt, from the chapter on recovery:
“The way my friends reacted to my recovery caused me to reflect on the way
life and death are perceived in our society. Unanimously, they congratulated
me on my restoration to health and expressed their gratitude that I was doing
so well again. Although I was deeply grateful for the attention and affection,
the encounter with God in my hours near death made me wonder whether being ‘better again’ was indeed the best thing for me.”
Have a good day, a blessed weekend and enjoy every minute of life.
A prayer for today: Holy God, help and guide me today. Amen.
Ben Keckler
09.30.11
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