Why we’re still here
by Elouise
fingers float across keys
singing of faith –
yours, mine, ours –
it doesn’t matter
in these days of
crawling and flying
at lightning speed
through one day
and night to the next
wondering
where time went,
what is happening to us,
and why we’re still here
Maybe it’s my age. Or too many memories. Or the weariness of watching one opportunity after another wither or go up in ashes.
Still, I believe we’re here for a reason. Not to sit on the sidelines, but to get involved in small or large ways as we’re able. Perhaps that’s the best answer to why I’m still here. How about you?
Thanks for stopping by today.
Elouise♥
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 25 January 2022
Photo of drought in California found at cnn.com
Telling the Truth 
Hi Elouise,
On my good days, this prayer is how I might explain why I am still here. Not on all days, but on good days.
Maybe I have shared this with you before – apologies if I’m repeating myself. It’s happening more and more often. 😬
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Hi dw. I needed to read this again! It’s a wonderful way of imagining God and ourselves–especially, as you say, on good days. Though it also seems appropriate for those days when we’re not at all certain why we’re still here. Maybe it really doesn’t matter whether we know exactly why we’re here, or what our parts are in this mammoth production called human life. Maybe what matters most is Who is leading, and whether we’re willing to be just as we are on any given day.
Elouise
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Just this morning, reading Psalm 131, I’m reminding myself that Jesus asked us to emulate children – no need for big plans – it’s okay to hang out in the Father’s house, play in His yard, come in when He calls, do the chores He has asked us to do.
Do I live this way? No. But I’m just thinking as I write…maybe the question “Why don’t I live like a child?” is a good counter to “Why are we still here?”
Something I need to ponder.
Grace and peace to you…
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Great comment, dw.
Children are much more up-front with their feelings and ideas when they aren’t being stifled by over-protective parents or adults. I wonder what they would say about our climate change issue. When I begin with Genesis 1, it’s clear we’ve been assigned the great privilege (and task) of caring for the garden. This planet! The people on this planet! Etc.
The climate change issue captures multiple inequities that both exacerbate climate change and destroy what’s needed on this earth for people of all races to survive. I see it (climate change) as one way to sum up the state of our planet–the one we’re supposed to be caring for. Which, of course, includes where people live, where the best and worst real estate is, and who gets to live the posh life vs life on the edge. Your reference to the chores we’re called to tend to in the Father’s house is spot on.
My bottom line (at this age!) is that daily, often unseen decisions are important. Most important, though is my vote. The USA isn’t going to tackle real climate change without changes in local, state and national offices. Mr. Trump tried to give climate change the kiss of death. I pray he won’t succeed, and I don’t take anything for granted.
Grace and peace right back to you!
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I think I’m here because, although there have been times when I’ve not wanted to be, no matter how I’ve argued the point, God seems to have other ideas. So perhaps there are reasons I can’t know much about, and I’ll wait and see…
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Thanks, Fran. Sounds like a good solution to me! I do think climate change is real, and that corporate and personal greed are real as well. What can I do? I’m not sure. I know what I dare not look the other direction, or pretend it isn’t that bad. The way we treat each other and our near and far neighbors is, for me, a huge issue. I fear we’re in a war of the nations mode right now, without a sense of what’s happening to our planet and those who can no longer depend on rain (for example).
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Yes, indeed. But rather than worry about the big things, I choose small things I can do something about: kindness, joy, litter picking, not eating so many potato chips, eating more soup and less meat, turning down the heating. I do think small actions replicated can make miracles. Bless you! :-)) ♥
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Hi, Fran!
Your list made me smile and laugh! I think all that is super important–and connected to climate change issues. It’s also important to pay attention to politician’s choices or decisions about climate change (a way of exposing inequities in other areas such as race and class issues). In the end, elected leaders (community, state, national) become the key to whether we can make even a small dent, much less keep our national promises. Mr. Trump did us a huge disfavor by opposing the very idea of climate change–making it a big joke.
Regardless of what I do daily, who I vote for is at least as important. Based on how the USA is doing so far, I don’t see a groundswell of support for working on local and national issues related to climate change. Which, of course, includes the reality of where people live, where poverty is endemic, who has the best real estate, etc. We don’t have Mr. Trump in office today; we do, however, live with his sad legacy regarding climate change. Is there still room for me in Scotland? 🙂
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Yes, always. You and hubby can come share with us.
I do feel that the worst of the last presidency is that it has normalised what used to be accepted as “lunatic fringe”: that which espouses the right to bear arms, despises facts – blue isn’t blue, it’s some kind of yellow – and of course martians are manipulating all of us.
Aside from the realisation that most martians would be (a) far nicer than us and probably (b) scared of our seeming preference for random violence, I really wonder about what all that nonsense does to accepted norms of behaviour. But I also try not to worry, or that counts as another loss. ((xxx))
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Yes! (to your most hospitable invitation). 🙂 Also, you describe the last presidency so very well. Thank you.
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Nice
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