fearfully and wonderfully made...

In a recent meditation posted on Henri Nouwen's "reflections" site, the late theologian-pastor wrote:

"Know yourself" is good advice. But to know ourselves doesn't mean to analyze ourselves. Sometimes we want to know ourselves as if we were machines that could be taken apart and put back together at will. At certain critical times in our lives it might be helpful to explore in some detail the events that led us to our crises, but we make a mistake when we think that we can ever completely understand ourselves and explain the full meaning of our lives to others. Solitude, silence, and prayer are often the best ways to self-knowledge. Not because they offer solutions for the complexity of our lives but because they bring us in touch with our sacred center, where God dwells. That sacred center may not be analyzed. It is the place of adoration, thanksgiving, and praise.

There is mystery to each of us - beautiful, complicated, challenging and even sometimes troubling mystery - that we can never fully comprehend. Psalm 139 gets it right: I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

In a few moments we are off to feast with loved ones and then take in the mysterious and moving music of Ms. Lisa Fischer and Le Grand Baton. We saw their eclectic blend of world, pop, jazz, rock and gospel music two years ago at the Ottawa Jazz Festival and have been enthralled ever since. Being in their company nourishes part of my soul in ways that are still unnameable even after all these years. Give your soul a treat and take a listen to this transformation of "Gimme Shelter" by the Stones.