"Often we want to be able to see the future. We say ‘How will next year be for me? Where will I be five or ten years from now?’ There are no answers to these questions. Mostly we just have enough light to see the next step:what we have to do in the coming hour or the following day." Henri Nouwen

Last night my husband and I made a passing comment about parenting…"you just never know". This was in the course of a conversation about our oldest son’s plans for a possible study abroad program he is excited about right now. "You just never know"…..where their path will take them, what will fill them with passion, what will be an obstacle, what will be an opportunity. As parents we can plan,prod,encourage,discipline, and as a life plays out….you just never know.

If you are a part of any organization, you are familiar with a five-year plan or even a ten-year plan for the future. These are all good things to do, to have. I know people who They can become a place of great dreaming, creativity, and can sometimes actually come to the hope-for fruition. When this happens, it is  cause for great rejoicing.

Mostly, we live our lives in the place of just enough light. We have this moment, this day, perhaps this week. The rest, what is to come, rests in the shadows. ‘Enough light’ is a good place. Here we see the gifts that are within our reach, the blessings of the moment, our precious breath. Here we see the faces of those who walk with us and can offer our gratitude. Here is enough illumination to move us to the next place….the  place of ‘you just never know’.

The great spiritual teacher Henri Nouwen continues his words: "The art of living is to enjoy what we can see and not complain about what remains in the dark. When we are able to take the next step with trust that we will have enough light for the step that follows, we can walk through life with joy and be surprised at how far we go. Let’s rejoice in the little light we carry and not ask for the great beam that would take all shadows away."

Yes, let’s.