I try to be a person of deep spirituality. I may be less spiritual than most, but there are some folks who may think my twice daily constitution of prayer and scripture reading is a bit much.
I beg to differ. It is within those time frames where my peace and strength for every day moments is found. I "take" what I read, do my best to ingrain it, and live a life of the message received. With regard to prayer and scripture, I know from where communication is delivered. However, when I encounter people or situations, be they good or bad, what exactly is being delivered, by whom, and why? This past June, following my first-ever job layoff, I was scheduled for jury duty. On the first day I met a man who was at the courthouse for the first time, a stranger in a strange land. He looked lost out in the parking lot, so I directed him where to go and as we walked we chatted a bit. Once inside we parted ways. On the second day, as we were waiting to get dismissed, he and I met up again in one of the waiting rooms and there struck up a deeper conversation about our families and our work. He told me he grew up in Argentina and had been in the United States for over 20 years. His parents, he said, chose to remain in the homeland. I then told him about my recent layoff. He looked at me a for a second, and then spoke. "So, what are your plans?" "We'll," I responded, "right now I'm going to work from home as a freelance writer." He came closer to me, as the televisions blaring in the room made it hear to be heard, and spoke firmly, "Make sure you do something...anything." I started to say something, but he put up his hands, halted me, and continued. "My father was a university professor in Argentina. At age 70 he decided to retire. For a year he did nothing; he just sat at home. It killed him." He then went on to tell me that his Dad often told him he'd wished he hadn't retired. I said nothing for a brief period, but then said, "Just like that...he died?" He nodded. "He was in perfect health, then he died an old man because he didn't keep busy." He backed away a bit into his seat, then again said, "Do something." We soon were dismissed from jury service and said our goodbyes, but his words have remained with me, I pondering them every so often when I sit here at my writing desk or, most of all, when I don't feel like doing anything, and then become lethargic. The question is, where did his message come from? Yes, he spoke the words, they expressed in sadness but determination, but from where were those words inspired? I believe -- and more so, have faith enough to know -- that it came from a loving God watching over me. Many individuals have belief, faith, hope, knowledge, and perhaps many have none of the before mentioned. I deny no individual their right to personal feelings and beliefs; you think as you think. As philosopher James Allen said, “You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.” So, I'm thinking that God was speaking through that man to me, sending me a very important message. So here I sit, a former 27-year computer operator, now a full-time writer -- always doing something. I'm heeding the message. Steve
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Steve Sears is a New Jersey based freelance writer
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