Forever

 

Eight years ago, the day Donald Trump was elected for his first term as president, I met with client after client in my therapy practice, and faced hour after hour of all of our trauma and disbelief. I, and many people I know, are traumatized today as we awake to another Trump term and the potential destruction of what we value. We now must manage our disbelief and trauma for the long term. I will spend this day walking beside trees, connecting with people I love and trust, and praying. May you find your special ways to drop into your center, hold your values, and be gentle in this time of anguish.

 

All loving God,

Much of our suffering is that we seek “forever”

in that which does not endure.

We seek to have that which we value

            become fully alive now and always.

We seek to hold on to the good that we know

            and not to trust radical change.

And our hearts cry out in anguish, “It was so good, God. Why can’t this be forever?”

And the All-Loving-God

reaches across the thin veil into our question:

“Oh, my children, “Forever” is not the same as “Now.”

Forever comes only when “now” is grounded in my love.

For youth is fleeting

life is short

accomplishments are of this world

Creation is forever changing

forever new

but not forever-forever.

I dwell most fully on the far side of forever,

the pure side of love

where hopes are made real

beauty becomes deeper than the body can hold

broken relationships await with outstretched arms

loved ones are alive and new

            and peace and justice, hope and decency abide

Only love

reaches across the chasm between now and forever.

My love reaches out to you.

Receive it, for it is of the “forever” for which you long.

Amen.