Streams of Mercy

Anne Lamott’s book, Stitches: A Handbook on Meaning, Hope and Repair, asks important questions and moves the reader to make a journey in search of answer.

As the journey begins, she poses this question: “Where is meaning in the meteoric passage of time, that speed in which our lives are spent? Where is meaning in the pits? In the suffering? I think these questions are worth asking.” She begins the journey by sharing these thoughts:

“Christians would say the answer is simple. Life’s meaning is to seek union with God and be Jesus’ hands and eyes for the people who need help and companionship. AA might also say it is simple: to stay sober one day at a time and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety. For Buddhists, the answer is mindfulness, kindness and trying to remember to breathe every so often. Environmentalists want to save the planet for all species– or at least a number of them … Ram Dass, who described himself as a Hin-Jew, said that ultimately, we’re all just walking each other home. I love that. I try to live by it.”

She speaks of the importance of doing what we can as well and shares her experience in showing up to teach Sunday School. “I always end up telling the kids the same things: that they are loved and chosen, that the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it: and to keep trusting God, no matter what things looks like and no matter how long an upswing takes.”

I smiled when she referred to Capri Sun as the “living water “ of most Sunday Schools! I ponder the truth of this statement: “Sometime love doesn’t look like you thought.”

Lamott’s writings help me to think new thoughts and to explore new possibilities. She breathes new life into old ways of being and doing. So grateful for her life experiences that gave her such rich gifts to share.

Elizabeth