By Sr. Nun Other

There’s a saying can’t see the forest for the trees. I find myself often in that state, surrounded by God’s love and unable to recognize it. Sometimes it doesn’t fit my mold of what love looks like, and sometimes events are shrouded in personal negativity. Yesterday, a sister approached me and said, “I heard you had some good news today.” My reply? “Well, actually, it was bad news that turned out less bad than I thought it would be.” We both laughed, but honestly, how’s that for short-lived gratitude?!

Here are some facts about a forest. It’s a highly complex, ever changing environment made up of a variety of living things (wildlife, trees, wildflowers, lichens, ferns and mosses). It’s also made up of elements like water, rocks, sunlight and air. The trees buffer the earth and underpin countless life forms. They help create an environment to support the kinds of animals and plants that exist in the forest. This is a perfect definition of God’s care for his creation. When I struggle and sometimes suffer, I need eyes to see and a heart to comprehend the complexity of my need and the answer of a loving God.