On Showing Up

On our way to the fair on Friday night, my coworkers and I got into a pretty deep conversation. We talked about our journeys and how each of us tends to deal with things as they come our way—serious things like sickness and death and not-so-serious things like what to do when you realize you have a rip in your pants in the middle of the day. We deal with things as they come our way—and they come our way at different times and different places—which is how they need to come our way lest we stay overwhelmed.

But sometimes we get overwhelmed nonetheless. So sometimes it’s hard to show up for our own lives. And sometimes it’s even harder to show up for other people’s lives. And sometimes showing up literally means just showing up—being physically present. But other times, showing up means more than that—sometimes showing up is arriving physically and mentally and emotionally.

And when people show up—when they really show up—or when we really show up—that showing up must be honored—that dealing with life and deeply living life must be honored.

I keep finding myself being reminded of this truth. So I hope you will forgive me for, once again, reminding you of this truth as well…in modified haiku form, of course.

Work always shows up
Papers, projects, deadlines. More.
But people do not.
So when they do—when they show up:
Work can always wait.

God: Thank you for the people who show up for me, and thank you for the moments when I remember to slow down and show up for people as well. You always show up for us. Help us always to show up for others. Amen. And Amen.