We at the World Grace Project are fortunate to have such a talented and hardworking group of Haitian individuals among us. Hope remains a steadfast beacon in a world often clouded by divisive rhetoric and uncertainty. The whisper of hope reminds us of better days ahead, the spark that ignites our determination to overcome challenges. Hope is not about ignoring the darkness but finding the light within it. It is about believing in the power of human connection, empathy, and resilience.

Let us choose hope over fear, compassion over judgment, and unity over division. Together, we can create a world where rhetoric gives way to understanding and hope shines brighter than ever. Hope is much like seeds for the garden, where hope fills the heart. Seeds fill the soil. We can plant seeds on fertile ground and fill hearts with hope.

Haitian immigrants have enriched our community in countless ways. Their vibrant culture, strong work ethic, and resilience have positively impacted our local economy, schools, and neighborhoods. From delicious cuisine to beautiful art, Haitian culture has brought our town new perspectives and a sense of diversity. We are fortunate to have such a talented and hardworking group of individuals among us.

Haitian Immigrants: A Tapestry of Talent and Resilience

Haitian immigrants have significantly and positively impacted our community, enriching our lives in countless ways. Their contributions span various sectors, from the arts and culture to healthcare and business.

Cultural Enrichment: Haitian culture, with its vibrant music, captivating dance, and delicious cuisine, has brought a unique perspective to our community. Events like the Haitian Independence Day celebration and cultural festivals have introduced many to the rich heritage of Haiti.

Economic Contributions: Haitian immigrants have established businesses, created jobs, and contributed to the local economy. Their entrepreneurial spirit and hard work have helped to revitalize neighborhoods and stimulate economic growth.

Healthcare Heroes: Haitian immigrants are often at the forefront of healthcare, working as doctors, nurses, and home health aides. Their dedication and compassion have made a profound difference in the lives of many, especially during times of crisis.

Educational Excellence: Haitian students have excelled in our schools, demonstrating their intelligence, determination, and cultural richness. Their presence has enriched our classrooms and fostered a more diverse and inclusive learning environment.

Community Involvement: Haitian immigrants have actively participated in our community, volunteering their time to various organizations and initiatives. Their commitment to giving back has strengthened the bonds between different cultures and fostered a sense of unity.

Compassion drives the desire to serve those struggling with poverty, hunger, and brokenness, all creating painful trauma points. Today, vulnerable populations face the same troubles, leading to the question of how we can serve with the same compassion and sensitivity as Jesus in Matthew 14:14. Share a heart below to stand with our Haitian friends and show compassion, mercy, and support for all immigrants and refugees. 

Cultivating Hope: Reviving the Soul When Life Gets Tough

Understanding the Concept of Hope

Hope embodies the belief in a positive future and the possibility of better outcomes. It signifies an expectation that circumstances can improve, even amid difficulty. This concept is a guiding light in dark times, offering individuals a reason to persevere. Without hope, despair can dominate one’s thoughts, making challenges appear insurmountable. Thus, understanding hope is crucial for personal resilience and growth.

Psychologically, hope plays a vital role in mental health. It fosters a sense of purpose and direction, enhancing one’s quality of life. The presence of hope can reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. Those who maintain hope experience increased motivation and a greater willingness to face life’s challenges. Hope acts as a buffer against stress, making it easier to cope with adversity. It allows individuals to envision a path forward, even when obstacles seem overwhelming.

During challenging times, hope becomes a powerful driving force. It encourages persistence and adaptation, helping individuals navigate through hardships. Hope inspires creativity when faced with setbacks and increases problem-solving. It urges individuals to seek growth opportunities. By cultivating hope, people can transform their outlook and embrace their potential. Hope is not merely a feeling but an essential component of the human experience.

Recognizing Life’s Challenges

Life presents various challenges that test resilience. Individuals often face struggles such as loss, failure, and anxiety. These experiences shape their perceptions and reactions. Loss, whether of a loved one or an opportunity, can create deep emotional wounds. Failure can feel like a personal defeat, leading to self-doubt. Anxiety may arise from uncertain futures or overwhelming responsibilities. Each struggle can affect a person’s emotional and mental well-being.

Adversity has a profound impact on mental health. Individuals may experience feelings of hopelessness and despair. These feelings can cloud judgment and hinder personal growth. Stress from these challenges can lead to anxiety disorders or depression. Recognizing these impacts is crucial for healing. By acknowledging the weight of adversity, individuals can process their emotions. They can learn to cope effectively. This recognition allows for a more profound understanding of oneself and fosters an environment for hope.

Personal narratives play a significant role in shaping hope. Each person’s story reflects their unique experiences and struggles. Understanding these narratives helps individuals find meaning in their challenges. A narrative of resilience can inspire hope, encouraging individuals to see beyond their current struggles. It is essential to recognize that everyone has a story filled with challenges. Embracing personal narratives can empower individuals. It can transform adversity into a source of strength, ultimately reviving the soul.

Techniques for Cultivating Hope

Mindfulness and meditation practices are essential for cultivating hope. They allow individuals to focus on the present moment. This focus reduces anxiety about the future. Practicing mindfulness can involve simple breathing exercises or guided meditations. These techniques increase awareness of thoughts and feelings. By acknowledging these emotions, one can shift negative perspectives to more hopeful ones.

Setting small, achievable goals is another effective technique for fostering hope. Individuals who set and accomplish these goals experience a sense of progress. This sense of accomplishment can significantly boost morale. Goals may be as simple as organizing a workspace or completing a daily task. Each success reinforces positive thinking and promotes a hopeful outlook. Goals can be adjusted as needed to maintain motivation and prevent overwhelming feelings.

Cultivating positive relationships and community connections is vital in the quest for hope. Engaging with others helps individuals feel supported. Positive relationships provide encouragement and emotional strength during tough times. Joining community activities or support groups can also enhance this connection. These interactions create a sense of belonging. Such a support system can uplift spirits and inspire hope even in the darkest moments.

The Role of Gratitude in Reviving the Soul

Gratitude plays a pivotal role in shifting focus from negativity to positivity. When one practices gratitude, the mind acknowledges the good amidst adversity. This shift can transform one’s perspective entirely. Instead of fixating on problems, they see growth opportunities. By recognizing even the smallest blessings, one’s outlook brightens, making each day feel bountiful.

Practical exercises can help cultivate gratitude daily. Keeping a gratitude journal is one effective method. Each evening, one can write three things for which one is thankful. This simple act reinforces positive thinking. Another idea is to express appreciation verbally. Telling someone how much they mean can create stronger connections. Setting reminders to pause and reflect on positive aspects can anchor them in gratitude throughout the day.

Real-life stories showcase the power of gratitude in tough times. For instance, a cancer survivor attributed their healing journey to gratitude. They focused on supportive family and friends rather than the illness. A teacher faced with job loss turned to gratitude for the lessons learned. They realized each setback had a hidden gift. These stories illustrate how gratitude revives the soul and fortifies one’s spirit of life’s challenges.

Seeking Professional Help

When life becomes overwhelming, knowing when to seek professional help is crucial. Signs may include persistent sadness, anxiety, or feelings of hopelessness. If an individual struggles to cope with daily tasks or feels isolated, it may be time to reach out. Early recognition of these signs can lead to timely and practical support.

Therapy offers benefits that can significantly restore hope. Professionals, such as therapists or counselors, provide a safe space for individuals to express thoughts and feelings. They offer guidance and coping strategies tailored to each person’s needs. This process not only helps in understanding one’s emotions but also fosters resilience. Clients often leave sessions with a renewed sense of purpose and clarity.

Finding support during difficult times can be daunting. Numerous resources are available to assist in this journey. Local mental health clinics, online therapy platforms, and hotlines can connect individuals with qualified professionals. Community centers and support groups also offer invaluable connections. Seeking help is a brave step, leading to healing and hope.

Long-Term Strategies for Maintaining Hope

Building resilience and adaptability form the foundation of maintaining hope. Individuals who cultivate these traits can navigate hardships more effectively when life presents challenges. They learn to view obstacles as opportunities. This shift in perspective fosters a sense of control and optimism. Resilient individuals often practice stress management techniques. Engaging in physical activity, mindfulness, and connecting with supportive communities helps strengthen their ability to cope. These practices allow them to bounce back from setbacks.

Continuous self-reflection and growth play a crucial role in sustaining hope. Individuals benefit from regularly evaluating their thoughts and behaviors. This process encourages personal development and a deeper understanding of themselves. By identifying strengths and areas for improvement, they create pathways for growth. Setting achievable goals reinforces their belief in progress. Practicing goals nurtures a mindset focused on learning. As individuals face life’s challenges, they become more equipped to adapt and maintain hope.

Creating a personal action plan is essential for long-term hope. This plan should outline specific steps to address challenges and nurture positivity. Individuals may include short-term goals that align with their values. Regularly reviewing and updating these goals keeps the motivation alive. They can also incorporate strategies for celebrating small victories. Recognizing achievements, no matter how minor, helps to build a sense of accomplishment. By committing to this action plan, individuals reinforce their resolve to maintain hope well in the future.

What is the definition of hope?
Hope embodies the belief in a positive future and the possibility of better outcomes, signifying an expectation that circumstances can improve, even amid difficulty.

Why is hope important for mental health?
Hope plays a vital role in mental health by fostering a sense of purpose and direction, enhancing quality of life, reducing feelings of anxiety and depression, and acting as a buffer against stress.

How does hope help individuals during challenging times?
During challenging times, hope encourages persistence and adaptation, inspires creativity in problem-solving, and helps individuals navigate through hardships while seeking growth opportunities.

What types of challenges do individuals face that test their resilience?
Individuals often face struggles such as loss, failure, and anxiety, which can shape their perceptions and reactions, leading to emotional and mental impacts.

How does adversity impact mental health?
Adversity can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair, clouding judgment, hindering personal growth, and potentially leading to anxiety disorders or depression.

What role do personal narratives play in shaping hope?
Personal narratives reflect unique experiences and struggles, helping individuals find meaning in their challenges and inspiring a narrative of resilience that encourages hope.

How can mindfulness and meditation practices cultivate hope?
Mindfulness and meditation practices help individuals focus on the present moment, reducing anxiety about the future and increasing awareness of thoughts and feelings.

What is the significance of setting small, achievable goals?
Setting small, achievable goals allows individuals to experience a sense of progress and accomplishment, boosting morale and reinforcing positive thinking.

Why are positive relationships and community connections meaningful for fostering hope?
Positive relationships provide emotional strength and encouragement during tough times, while community connections create a sense of belonging and support.

How does gratitude shift focus from negativity to positivity?
Practicing gratitude encourages individuals to acknowledge the good amidst adversity, transforming their perspective and allowing them to see growth opportunities.

What practical exercises can help cultivate gratitude daily?
Keeping a gratitude journal, expressing appreciation verbally, and setting reminders to reflect on positive aspects can help reinforce gratitude and positive thinking.

What signs indicate that someone may need to seek professional help?
Signs include persistent sadness, anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, struggling to cope with daily tasks, or feeling isolated.

What benefits does therapy provide in restoring hope?
Therapy offers a safe space for expression, guidance, and coping strategies tailored to individual needs and fosters resilience, often leading to a renewed sense of purpose and clarity.

What resources are available to find support during challenging times?
Local mental health clinics, online therapy platforms, hotlines, community centers, and support groups can connect individuals with qualified professionals.

How can building resilience and adaptability help maintain hope?
Cultivating resilience and adaptability allows individuals to navigate hardships more effectively by viewing obstacles as opportunities, fostering a sense of control and optimism.

What is the role of continuous self-reflection in sustaining hope?
Continuous self-reflection encourages personal development and a deeper understanding of oneself, helping individuals identify strengths and areas for improvement to create pathways for growth.

Why is creating a personal action plan essential for long-term hope?
A personal action plan outlines specific steps to address challenges and nurture positivity, keeping motivation alive through short-term goals and strategies for celebrating small victories.

Relationships have always been messy however today there are compounding issues with relationships, Christianity now observes a troubling trend among religious leaders. Pastors align themselves with these champions of freedom, engaging in transactions that compromise their ethical integrity. These partnerships hint at a disturbing confluence between theology and political agendas, minimizing faith to support secular ideologies.

Western culture inhabits an era where freedom, mixed with the symbolism of firearms, creates an unstable environment. In this context, guns are imbued with almost sacramental importance by those who champion individual liberties. Rather than mere tools, they are essential in the ongoing struggle for personal autonomy.

This phenomenon raises significant questions about devotion in contemporary society. The elevation of weapons to a status akin to sacraments reflects a troubling form of idolatry, worship geared toward objects that promise power and self-determination. Consequently, these firearms become substitutes for deeper moral and spiritual frameworks. Sadly, idolatry has become theology to achieve power and manipulation.

Humanity faces a complex interplay between freedom, idolatry, and institutional influence—a dynamic that warrants critical examination and the treatment of the poor, oppressed, and vulnerable communities. The antithesis of the Gospel is challenging, creating a more profound imbalance as structural violence spreads worldwide.

Everyone struggles with the commonality of four primary battles: fear, doubt, insecurity, and grief. These emotions create a battlefield that scars our hearts. [1] Hearts are our internal gardens we love so much.[2] Humans, like gardens, must tend to the soil that dwells within the heart. The battles within the mind individuals face impact the internal garden. The tools the heart is filled with can leave scars or produce a bountiful harvest. A struggle develops between the heart and the mind, creating a situation no one wants to admit to. God created us to cultivate a purposeful life through His design.

A child’s heart is filled with fertile soil that will cultivate anything and everything planted. Therefore, the seeds planted are critical to production or destruction.[3] How often does one believe they are only loved based upon their performance? Too frequently, a parent may quote, “I love you, but…” it is here where the process of a destructive seed becomes planted. A fertile heart will reproduce into a healthy adult. However, love based on performance will often lead to the creation of an ugly monster called “perfectionism.”[4] While frequently seen as a positive trait, perfectionism can have significant negative consequences if excessive. Here are some of the primary dangers:

Emotional Toll of Perfectionism

• Anxiety and Stress: Constant pressure to be perfect can lead to overwhelming anxiety and stress.
• Low Self-Esteem: When mistakes or imperfections are viewed as failures, it can erode self-esteem and confidence.
• Depression: Chronic dissatisfaction and disappointment can contribute to feelings of hopelessness and depression.

Relationship Challenges

• Strained Relationships: Perfectionism can lead to unrealistic expectations of oneself and others, straining relationships.
• Difficulty Asking for Help: Fear of failure or incompetence can make it difficult to ask for help, leading to isolation.

Procrastination and Avoidance

• Fear of Failure: The fear of making mistakes can lead to procrastination and avoidance of tasks.
• Overwhelm: The pressure to be perfect can create a sense of overwhelm, making it difficult to start or complete tasks.

Physical Health Issues

• Chronic Stress: The physical toll of chronic stress can lead to various health problems, such as headaches, digestive issues, and a weakened immune system.
• Burnout: Excessive perfectionism can lead to burnout, a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion.

It’s essential to recognize that striving for excellence is different from perfectionism. While aiming for high standards is healthy, perfectionism can harm overall well-being. If you find yourself struggling with perfectionism, consider seeking support from a therapist or counselor to develop healthier coping strategies.

            Perfectionism is a battle, like plants in a garden fighting for space like joy and pain within one’s heart. Neither joy nor pain will cancel the other but must coexist as plants grow together.[5] Reflecting biblically, it is essential to look at Psalm 1:3: “They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.” (NRSV) everyone has a season of life, it is crucial not to give into withering. Where is the trust place to avoid the potential of withering? It is essential to reflect on Proverbs 11:28: “Those who trust in their riches will wither, but the righteous will flourish like green leaves.” (NRSV) Plant everything in faithfulness through the Prophet Jeremiah: “I will rejoice in doing good to them, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul.” (Jeremiah 32:41, NRSV) These Scriptures lead to the Prophet Jeremiah’s writings of (32:41) “I will rejoice in doing good to them, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul.” (Jeremiah, NRSV)[6]

            Everyday garden metaphors are used to express life. The metaphors are taken for granted due to the frequency of use. Life and gardens require nutrients.

•          I put down roots
•          Nip it in the bud
•          Cultivate goals

The beauty of these metaphors is drawing near unrelated ideas to clarify a visual point.[7] Comparing one’s thoughts toward a plant might make one think differently about self-compassion.[8] Everyone can identify with a plant and how plants require attention and nurturing, just as when one is caught in a struggle, self-deprecating thoughts replace nurture with weeds.[9] Within this space of struggle, the brain and plants share a commonality where neurons come together, creating a life-giving connection over and above the metaphor. Having suffered a stroke, this is an exciting area as two billion neurons may have been destroyed, but as humans, what is that number when 100 billion neurons are available. Good news comes out of the story as healing is available. Much like plants, neurons work close without a direct connection.

Humans, unlike plants, utilize the chemical elements of neurons or neurotransmitters to communicate.[10] Neurotransmitters impact one’s mood through dopamine and serotonin, thus activating muscle groups and helping the body rest and heal.[11] Neurons have different shapes and sizes, emulating vines, bushes, blades of grass, or even tree roots.[12] Reflecting on trees and a trip to California, the colossal Redwoods come to mind. Redwoods grow to 350 feet or more heights, yet their roots barely reach 10 feet into the soil. While shallow in depth, the origins spread horizontally up to 80 feet and intertwine with other Redwoods, creating a grove for stability.[13] Redwoods communicate in such a way their root systems connect with each other to form a foundation for all to survive. In essence, Redwoods thrive in communities that are not unlike humans. God has given all things a way to succeed in well-being. Well-being becomes an analogy to life in and through the garden.

For a garden to thrive, it must begin with the seeds. Seeds and planting are crucial for all to thrive. Through self-reflection, one must consider what seeds are being planted to be fruitful. What are we planting into the lives of our families, friends, and coworkers? Fruitful plants require quality soil. What if seeds become one’s thoughts and soil is found within the heart? How can an individual view the connection? Planting quality seeds or thoughts into the fertile ground or a fertile heart becomes a beautiful garden with beaming outward fruit.

Looking at Matthew 13, Jesus shares the parable of the sower. It is here that Jesus expresses the importance of bearing fruit. Jesus utilizes the parable of the soils as the farmer sows seed. Jesus defines three of the soils as fruitless, producing no harvest.[14] Notice that there is no spotlight on the farmer or blame for the fruitless seeds; the focus is on the soil quality.[15] Essentially, the message applies to how people respond to Jesus’ message of His Kingdom.[16] This is a perfect picture of life as well. Think about the seeds individually sown. It is crucial to sow good seeds with the understanding that some will be fruitful, some will wither, some will be doomed, some may develop as toxic weeds, while others will produce a hundredfold, sixty, or thirty as Jesus proclaims (Matthew 13:8ESV). It is imperative to understand the soil within our hearts to freely sow seeds without forgetting the soil within the heart must be fertile spiritual soil. Like the garden, the heart has roots tied to the mind, producing fruit and seeds while anchoring the heart to the fruit of life.[17] There is a garden within you. It is rooted within your soul. It is critical to embrace all your emotions as a battle wages war on your mind. This battle I know all too well, having survived a quadruple stroke, was afforded the opportunity to not only survive but to reflect on the soil of my heart. I needed to weed, fertilize, and adjust the soil toward spiritual rebirth and cultivation of the heart. My mind was undermining my soul in ways unredeemed pain multiplied through life-long denial. My garden had become overgrown, and despite all my theological growth, my spiritual seeds were sown on rocky soil. Grace saved the day and my life, and we never fully understand how valuable grace is until grace is desperately needed.

Bibliography

Brown, Jeanine. Matthew. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2017.

Daw, Sonya. National Park Service. April 2017. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/coast-redwood.htm (accessed September 15, 2024).

Phillips, Anita. The Garden Within. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2023.

[1] Anita Perkins, The Garden Within (Nashville:Thomas Nelson, 2023), XVIII.

[2] Perkins, The Garden, XVIIII.

[3] Perkins, The Garden, 4.

[4] Perkins, The Garden, 5.

[5] Perkins, The Garden, 5.

[6] Perkins, The Garden, 7.

[7] Perkins, The Garden, 7.

[8] Perkins, The Garden, 10.

[9] Perkins, The Garden, 10.

[10] Perkins, The Garden, 11.

[11] Perkins, The Garden, 11.

[12] Perkins, The Garden, 11.

[13] “Coast Redwood,” Redwood National and State Parks, accessed September 15, 2024, https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/coast-redwood.htm.

[14] Jeanine Brown, Matthew (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2017), 324.

[15] Brown, Matthew, 324.

[16] Brown, Matthew, 324.

[17] Perkins, The Garden, 13.

How We Respond Defines Our Future

Life-changing incidents have profound consequences and impacts on one’s life. How we handle those moments defines moving forward or wallowing in a pit of grief and sorrow. It is good to grieve, breathe, and receive the blessings surrounding those moments. To receive, it is crucial to listen to the winks the Spirit guides us toward and accept some hard truths with humility.

The presence of society and the act of comparing oneself to others drive individuals to believe in and feel the need for more. The vicious cycle becomes a never-ending cycle seeking perpetual fulfillment.

Leading up to my stroke, or as often labeled “health event,” a bout with Bell’s Palsy affected my life. This may have been an underlying cause leading to the stroke because of a lack of self-care and awareness on my part. Life has a way of catching up, which leads to extenuating circumstances and stressors. I was on a journey, always seeking more knowledge, thinking I did not measure up or have enough. The illnesses have rebuilt a new perspective and renewed representation of life. While the reflection in the mirror is complex, it is one of value, requiring humility, understanding, prayer, and action.

Ecclesiastes 1 offers excellent insight into the earthly experiences and limitations of wisdom. In my moments of crisis, there was a lasting impression that still haunted me. As I was being carted from the house, the fear on my son’s face forced me to think about my life and what mattered most. I saw his look of fear, holding the safety blanket he has owned since birth, held onto all of his eleven years. As I faded into darkness, I saw a little boy go from his current age of eleven to two, and then everything went blank until I woke in the ambulance. Nothing mattered more than his treasured face, smile, and love. No achievements, awards, or accolades mattered more than my family.

The teacher from Ecclesiastes offers unique insight into the things of the world and says that everything is futile. “Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2, NRSV) The Hebrew word describing “absolute futility” Hevel is used 38 times in Ecclesiastes, often to show worthless idols. Collecting idols throughout life forces one to ask, what does anyone gain? What do we leave behind for others? What is it we hold on to as we move through life?

Cultural pressure suggests we need more knowledge and wealth to acquire an advantage over others, sometimes at any cost. Again, everything is centered on selfish fulfillment, and doing these things will lead to a fulfilled life. In a crisis, the only fulfillment comes from one more hug or love and the precious loved ones. “What do people gain from all the toil at which they toil under the sun?” (Ecclesiastes 1:3, NRSV) Throughout life, reflecting on the profit from the toil is crucial. Who cares if you have a bigger house, a faster car, or a gigantic bank account? What is lying in your heart? In a crisis, there is no profit to be gathered, profit to gain, or a strategic advantage that death will not eliminate. I had to ask myself what profit I would choose.

The stroke created a rebirth to choose the profit I desire: to move forward with a legacy to leave others. What does the profit of knowledge do for others when I am in my grave? Pausing, one should consider the poem from Ecclesiastes 1:4-11.

“A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. The sun rises and the sun goes down, and hurries to the place where it rises. The wind blows to the south, and goes around to the north; round and round goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns. All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they continue to flow. All things are wearisome; more than one can express; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, or the ear filled with hearing. What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has already been, in the ages before us. The people of long ago are not remembered, nor will there be any remembrance of people yet to come by those who come after them.” (Ecclesiastes 1:4–11, NRSV)

 As generations come and go, there is a concern about personal gain. When thinking of gain, it leads to the questions Jesus presents in Matthew 6:19-21 of where one’s treasure is. There is also their heart. My treasure changed on a journey, and before losing consciousness, I saw Heston’s face in utter despair. Something no child deserves. My treasure changed in a heartbeat, and I thought maybe it was our final time seeing each other. Much like the poem from Ecclesiastes, life has an ebb and flow that does not differ from how a river flows but never fills. The wind can blow ceaselessly in different directions while never fulfilling a purpose. Our world becomes ceaselessly busy with activity, yet is never fulfilled. The world is always seeking more, but for what? This is a familiar story for those who have ever seen chickens get slaughtered on the farm. As the chickens are prepared and their heads cut off, they can run wild around the area. At that precise moment, they are the busiest animals on the farm, but individually, they have no future and nothing to gain. Their purpose has become someone else’s gain. Endless busyness will sweep us away. My life has become a recurrent pattern of endless busyness, seeking fulfillment in many wrong places.

“All things are wearisome; more than one can express; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, or the ear filled with hearing.” (Ecclesiastes 1:8, NRSV)

Ecclesiastes expresses all things are weary. The word Hevel arises again as eyes and ears will not be fulfilled, and we have no control over the inevitable death of humans. No matter the pursuit of pleasures, accumulation of wealth, or knowledge, life is a puff of wind. Intricate and awkward, there are many things we will never understand on this side of heaven. Through the struggle and experiences, I have reflected on what the human experience provides, seemingly minor, sometimes impossible when caught up in the easily found idols. Future generations will never remember how clean the car was, how the house was the largest in the neighborhood, or how many awards were gathered. Reflecting on my childhood memories, the most valuable moments are the presence of my family together over the presents received. Numerous names will only be remembered as facts of public record, with no legacy left unto others. Today is the day to reboot and rebirth to provoke a life of legacy.