Opening Convocation and a Wonderfully Needed Affirmation

Yesterday at noon, I attended the Opening Convocation of the 2010-2011 Bangor Theological Seminary school year.
Convocation, according to dictionary.com,
"a group of people gathered in answer to a summons; assembly."

Playing the prelude on a less than awe inspiring Casio keyboard was a little old woman. She feebly poked through the piece as if both the keyboard and the music were new to her. She connected the notes, mostly in the right time and mostly the right notes... at least that's how it sounded to my fairly adept yet musically untrained ears. It seemed like she was in a great rush to get through it. The sound was hurried and weak. I could hear the keys being touched as frequently as I heard the music of the keyboard singing throughout the room. Lest one might think this post is to bash on that little old lady, it it quite to the contrary. Here's what I Heard as she played.

I heard the footsteps of humanity, even me, rushing feebly about Creation. I heard the urge of us all to get from point A to point B, from appointment/class/day A to appointment/class/day B. I heard an attempt to do it right... to live our lives like we Should; the attempts are not just to force ourselves to do good, no! Yet, even those days when we find the best of ourselves having greeted God in prayer, meditation, and moments of recognition of the Sacredness of life itself, yes, even on those days at times there is striving. It is part of us. A part that must be diligently questioned, observed, loved, tended to, made to be honest with us. I heard, as this little old lady played, BLESS HER TODAY!, the reminder to let God catch me. I clearly heard the Source of all Wonder calling me to slow down and be caught and captivated by God and God's Spirit.

A couple times, I heard a chord played that was Perfection. Maybe 2 times in that whole long prelude. Interesting that though I heard such little Perfection, the entire offering of her ministry of music was such a blessing.

We were reminded by President Robert Ulery yesterday that the call to ministry is the call to a Very Hard Thing. (As an aside, if I can speak like him when this is over, every penny will have been well-spent!) He spoke to the biblical story of Elijah and Elishah, yet his point was a plea, a suggestion, an urge, a lovingly-offered gem of wisdom to us who would aspire to be ministers. "Tend to your own Spiritual Lives"

Grace and Peace to you, Bangor Theological Seminary. Thank you for the experience of affirmation yesterday telling me that yes, indeed, I am just where I need to be.

Joy, Hope, Love, and Peace... that we all might share. Trish