This morning was the first cold morning of fall, the first time this season I switched on the seat heater in my car on the way to work. As I drove through dark streets that not even a month ago were touched by rosy sunrise at this same time of day, I thought about writing that sentence: “Today is the first day this fall that I switched on the seat heater in my car.” I have a Subaru, which is a totally cool car to have when you live in the mountains where it snows, and my car makes me feel lucky. I luxuriate in knowing that I will be able to get to and from work even when the roads get wintry and messy; I bask in a seat that can heat itself for my comfort.
But I can’t help feeling guilty when I think of the desperate waves of refugees worldwide, or even of those struggling in my own town. There are so many people with no homes, no jobs, no cars, no security, while I am able to heat up my backside and count my blessings. Our county recently made the national news with Armageddon-like mudslides that erupted onto the highway and inundated hundreds of cars and trucks in minutes, that frightened and stranded motorists and ruined vehicles, that closed the roads in and out of the area for days. But my family was unhurt. My family was safe. By the grace of God we lead a charmed life.
“If the only prayer you ever said was thank you,” said Meister Eckhart, “that would be enough.” But I know that’s not enough. As grateful as I am for the health and well being of my family, as thankful as I am for the abundant blessings of my life, I know I have more to do. More to pray about. More to ponder. More to give. More to love. As I get older, I really do find God in all things, even the unpleasant things. I find I am aware of God’s love and presence like I am aware of air, as something unseen but steady, and essential to life.
Of course, it’s easy to be thankful when God is there in the smallest, inconsequential things, as well as in the life-altering, hugely moving things. As I drove on towards work, as the morning light appeared on the horizon like a crack in an egg, I pictured my cool car swept away in a mudslide, my house obliterated, my job lost, my family harmed, my faith shaken, my security gone, and I wondered if I would still feel grateful, if I would still sense God in those dreadful, harrowing things. I thought about the story of Job. My seat was so warm. My heart was so full. For the moment, this perfectly normal day felt like enough.
