We sometimes forget that God can reach out to us in many different ways. I recently found myself in a situation where I didn't have a lot of control and the circumstances were painful to me in my job. The problem has existed for a while, but has been exacerbated by the pandemic. The details and the source of my pain and sadness should not be the focus here, so I will abbreviate that. If you are anything like me, any kind of pain or sadness can be all consuming. And, when I am feeling like that, it is really difficult to climb out of that dark place on my own. In the past, I could stay there for a long time.
So, over the weekend, I invited God to help to resolve the issue for me. I have never resolved them, nor has anyone else I ever asked. So, at long last, I decided God might be better at resolving this than my boss or co-worker, and yes, even me. I set up an appointment with my spiritual director and hoped to talk with her soon as well. She always helped me to center myself and adjust my perspective.
On Monday morning, I was getting the dogs all situated with breakfast before I headed out to work. I was not really wanting to go to work. I put on the radio and the song that was playing was, "I Can See Clearly Now The Rain Has Gone" performed by Johnny Nash. I listened carefully to the lyrics as I hadn't really heard the song since high school and college. I stopped and listened to the words before finishing my final chores before leaving for work. The lyrics in this song spoke loudly to me. I told God that was exactly how I would like to feel about things at work... now help me to get there. The song and the lyrics are below in case you are not familiar with the song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FscIgtDJFXg
Johnny Nash - I Can See Clearly Now
I Can See Clearly Now\" is a Billboard Hot 100 Chart #1 hit song, written and recorded by Johnny Nash. It was a single from the album of the same name and achieved success in the United States and the United Kingdom when it was released in 1972. It was covered by many artists throughout the years, including a 1993 hit version by Jimmy Cliff ...
I can see clearly now, the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It's gonna be a bright (Bright), bright (Bright)
Sun-shiny day
It's gonna be a bright (Bright), bright (Bright)
Sun-shiny day
I think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I've been prayin' for
It's gonna be a bright (Bright), bright (Bright)
Sun-shiny day
Look all around, there's nothin' but blue skies
Look straight ahead, nothin' but blue skies
I can see clearly now, the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It's gonna be a bright (Bright), bright (Bright)
Sun-shiny day
It's gonna be a bright (Bright) bright (Bright)
Sun-shiny day
It's gonna be a bright (Bright) bright (Bright)
Sun-shiny day
It's gonna be a bright (Bright) bright (Bright)
Sun-shiny day
So, I listened and then got into my car with great apprehension as I headed for work. When I turned on my car radio which was on a totally different station from the radio in my house, again, I heard the same song again, from the beginning. Some might say that was pure coincidence, but this was no coincidence. "Yes, God, I hear you... I want to be that way, too, but I don't know how. That is why I asked you for help." So, I went to work and felt as dismal as I had been feeling half the morning, wanting desperately to put this behind me somehow. Then, I had an appointment with my spiritual director. We talked about the situation and she pointed out the elements of my job that appeared to give me joy and that I should focus on those aspects and let go of the others which caused so much distress and unhappiness. By afternoon, I had figured out, with God's help how I might be able to better protect myself from some of those painful situations that would arise and that I can better focus my work and begin by listening more closely to what God would want me to do.
So, God came through for me. Certainly not in a way I could have anticipated, but by using a familiar song from my teen years. A song I had not really pondered much in the days when I would sing along. I would have thought God would send a more religious song to help me. But once again God has taught me that He knows what is best for me and knows exactly how to get through to me. The challenge for me is that I need to ask God for help. And, when I do ask, I need to listen. I also need to know sometimes God will surprise me, not with how amazing how He is, but how he might choose to speak to me, even using a song from the 1970's.
So, that night before I went to sleep, I listened to that song several times, and I felt exactly what the song was talking about. I felt peace and calm like I haven't in a long time. The rain was gone and I could see all obstacles in the way.
Martha Corkery