Yesterday morning, heading east toward Wisconsin, we drove into the potential of
the sunrise of the day. It was a stupendous sunrise…..rolling lavender and white
clouds ringed the horizon as the pink sheen of the sun spread across the ever
lightening sky. We were perched on the cusp of a new day, full of conversations
and experiences yet to be revealed.

 Traveling further into the landscape, I was aware of the
potential that surrounded us. Fields had been plowed and some planted with what is to be corn and soybeans of the yet to be discovered summer. If my eyes
caught the rows in just the right light, I could see the hint of green as the
crops emerged from the ground. These seeds, planted and cared for by human
hands, will connect with the power of the sun, the gifts of rain and weather
and, no doubt, a few prayers thrown in for good measure, to provide food for
humans and animals.

 The visual image of the potential of these farm fields
unfolded in mile after mile as we crossed Wisconsin,
Illinois, and Indiana. Someplace along the stretch of
highway in Indiana,
I witnessed a man(father?) and small boy(son?) on their hands and knees in the
plowed soil. A signature yellow and green John Deere tractor sat near by. I saw
the man turn back toward the young boy and say something. I imagined that I was
witnessing the passing on of some important information to a future farmer, one
of those who will continue to feed our nation.

 This road trip that took us into Ohio moved us further toward the experience
of being surrounded by potential. We have taken this drive to be present at the
college graduation of our oldest son. For months now the nagging question on my
lips, in my mind, filling my heart is: “Where have the four years gone?” And
yet here we are, here he is, about to walk into the potential of his future. He
will be joined by young people that were unknown to him only four years ago that
have now become friends for life. He has read, studied and been exposed to
experiences that have prepared him for the next phase of his life’s journey. We
will be privileged to be present for all those young people who will give shape
to the world that is also full of a potential yet unknown to them, to us.

 From the rising of the sun to the flowering of the fields,
to the unfolding lives of the young and the not-so-young, each day is ringed
with potential that calls us to breathe deeply and be filled to overflowing
with gratitude. The newness of each sunrise is imprinted in our DNA and that
rests at the heart of Creation.

 Sometimes we simply call it…….hope.