Here I Am

I am facing the most extraordinary of times--a moment of extremes--marked by both extreme limitations and scarcity AND extraordinary open doors and abundance.  This morning I was thinking about how this moment challenges me; how it requires me to push myself and walk forward in confidence and faith in the face of difficulty.  This is the very nature of life.

I thought of the work I do with students and how, in the first phase of my counseling  where through a series of workshops and reflective exercises, I help students address the question "Who am I?" 
This is our primary question that compels us every day of our lives and it leads to the question that Mary Oliver eloquently asks, "What are you going to do with your one wild and precious life?"  

Who. Am. I. ?

Which led me to the story of Samuel, where G-d calls his name in the middle of the night and he thinks it is Eli and runs to Eli to help him.  This happens several times in the night until finally, Eli tells him, "Samuel, G-d is calling your name."  And Samuel asks, "What shall I say to him?" And Eli tells him, the next time G-d calls your name, say "Here I am."

And I thought about those words--HERE. I. AM.--how that is all we can say to our Creator who has made us, AS WE ARE, and placed us into a specific place on this planet at this time (HERE). And we must respond and live accordingly, creatively, respectfully, productively, joyfully, fruitfully--living into the act of the AM.
That is all we can do.  All we are meant to do. 

Which then made me think about what G-d says to Moses--I AM the GREAT I AM. The Being that exponentially full fills his/her/their being--who fully expresses the I AM in part through the creation of the universe.

All to say that I want to fully live into "HERE I AM"

I want to help others fully live into "HERE I AM."

I want to open the garden gate.

Especially in the face of limitations, fear, scarcity, and locked doors.