Dear Friends,

As many of you know, Thomas and I returned from North Carolina at the end of last week, after his participation in the candidate “Walkabouts” held by the Diocese of Western North Carolina. As one of four nominees to be their next bishop, Thomas participated in public presentations where members of the diocese could meet and listen to all four candidates. Now, the diocese will be about their work of discernment in preparation for the election of their next bishop on June 25th.

Many of you have asked questions about how it all went. I can say with assurance that we were welcomed with graciousness and warmth, and that all four candidates and their spouses drew close to each other as we traveled about the diocese. It was abundantly clear that the work of the Search Committee and Transition Committee is grounded in prayer, and I know I felt the support of many of your prayers.

One question I cannot answer is, “Do you think Thomas may be elected?”.  We really have no idea, but I understand the desire to ask that question. Whether he is elected will certainly have an effect on our life together. Right now we are moving through a month of uncertainty. It can be an uncomfortable time, since we cannot really predict our future together.

This morning, however, I awoke with the realization that this month is really no different than any other time in which we are together. We never can predict our future. Yet I know I tend to go through each day with the false assumption that this day will be like the one before,  that I can always rely on people being there for me as I will be for them, and that my life will not be subject to unexpected changes or disruptions in the plans I have made.

As uncertain as these days are, they are causing me to be more aware of the life I have been given by God, and to be more grateful for each moment I have. When faced with questions we cannot answer, we can draw back and be tentative. Or, we can embrace the lives and moments we are given.

I am reminded of the poem “Roses”, by Mary Oliver:

Everyone now and again wonders about
those questions that have no ready
answers: first cause, God’s existence,
what happens when the curtain goes
down and nothing stops it, not kissing,
not going to the mall, not the Super
Bowl.

“Wild roses,” i said to them one morning.
“Do you have the answers? And if you do,
would you tell me?”

The roses laughed softly. “Forgive us,”
they said. “Bus as you can see, we are
just now entirely busy being roses.”

We do not have all the answers to what life may bring. But for just now, I am going to seek to be “entirely busy” being the disciple of Jesus Christ and child of God that I am called to be.

Faithfully,

Tom