Fearless Faith

A regular interaction with my life partner has been encouraging one another to find the best in each day, no matter the circumstances. It usually occurs in the form of a question, “What was something new that you discovered today?” or “What was the best part of the day for you?” It is sometimes hard to come up with an adequate, let alone noble, response depending on the events of the day.

A similar question manifested itself in the guise of a well-into-nineties couple who hosted me overnight as part of a college choir tour decades ago. What was the secret of their long-time marriage to each other? Two mornings spent with them confirmed their routine. Before starting breakfast, each would take their turn in holding the other’s hand in order to share a moment of grace they saw in their partner from the previous day. Perhaps it was a calming word, a warm unexpected gesture, or dealings with a community person or family member that proved admirable. Of course the obvious question that had to be asked was what happens when they could think of nothing good to say. The knowing response they had led me toward was offered with subtle merriment, “Then we go hungry until lunch.”

Four and a half decades later, I found myself returning home from a short trip to visit family. Encouraged by a certain medical provider friend, I resigned myself to frequent breaks. Were it not for the breaks, I doubt I would have otherwise stopped at the Petrified Wood Gallery at Ogallala, Neb. A reluctant but curious visitor, I was totally taken aback by the collection of petrified slabs and pieces that were polished and artfully displayed.

When pressed what the best moment of the day was, the answer came easily: the gallery. It was not the volume or variety of works displayed that were most impressive, it was meeting the two twin brothers who put it all together over the years. Harvey and Howard Kenfield, born in 1928, gave me the deluxe walk-through of their gallery which also included some mineral specimens, arrow heads, and small scale model frontier buildings made from chips of petrified wood, all mounted over small music boxes. I wanted to hang out far too long.

The owners, the displays, the gallery layout and contents were absolute reminders of the wonders of this planet if we but take a few moments to appreciate it. How can one not find regard for a chunk of wood that is millions of years old? The time span speaks to the permanence of the natural world. Different species of the trees, though ancient, were still identifiable. It all serves to deepen the wonder of genesis.

Numerous scriptural allusions refer to the need for patience on our part; God’s timeline belongs to God and no one else. Nowhere is that illustrated more aptly than standing among numerous display cases filled with absolutely stunning mineralized (petrified) woods. How this creative process occurred – over seven days or five hundred million years - does not lessen the marvel of it all.

It was a good moment in a good morning in a good day. Can we imagine what tomorrow will bring if we stay aware?