Vol 11: The Magic of Almost
Not quite, very nearly.
Welcome to Volume 11 of the Tao Out Loud newsletter where we’re finding everyday magic, every day! If you’ve come here by chance, or a friend passed this on, I hope you’ve come to stay. Sign up below so you don’t miss a thing.
The Magic of Almost
Tis the season, kinda.
It’s almost cardigans and boots here. Black hoodies with a cause. I’ve had to hold myself back. An actual breeze sweeps through to carry my neighbors’ voices from the doorway now. There’s dampness and coolness with no promise of rain. Poised on the edge of brrrr and fur. The most wonderful time of the yerrr. That means it’s almost time for the holidays (the squeals and groans may be split down the middle). Some almosts are enjoyable. And some, well…Â
Provoked by the promise
Almost…was this close this week…to getting something I’ve been waiting on for more than a year! We were all thrilled. The plot twist was me leaving without it in the bag—not for lack of effort; this just appears to be my current lot. And my lot will not be rushed, not even a little. It’s a holding pattern: nowhere to go, no idea of when they will change, and nothing I can do to speed things up. Nothing but pray, of course. I am not a do-nothing girl.
With renewed respect for the Hannahs of then and now, I find myself here. Still. Stirred. Shaken. Immobile. Magical it is not. Character and faith-building? Maybe.
Yet, looking with near sight toward where intent would aim me, I find myself too far from before to fall off backward and too near to next to default because it’s difficult. Perhaps the magic of almost is its inciting capability. It tapes a target between the crosshairs of our dreams and vision. It tells us not only this is possible, but that we’re so, so close.
Hannah saw her own future in Penninah’s pert belly. Her rival’s provocation fuelled her desperation, and once she caught sight of the promise, it couldn’t shake her conviction. It riled her so much it drove her closer to the goal. May your agitation similarly serve you.Â
Am I ready for change? Lol…almost.
In other news, I couldn’t help but self-assess as I walked away, dashed hopes in hand, Am I as ready for things to change as I feel? The land of almost is the land of discomfort, but very ironically, it’s also a cleft of comfort…of excuses, of reasons why not. The realm of realization is the kingdom of action, of enablement in some ways and disablement in others. I ask myself when I’m finally able, will I still be willing?
Maybe it won’t matter then—we do pivot, don’t we—but I hope I never complain. That I never forget how badly I wanted what I once again have; I pray the novelty never wears off. It’s wise to weigh up such things while we’re still in the waiting.Â
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters, compared to what lies within us.
Henry Stanley Haskins
I wish the same for you, because you’re going to dance someday in the promises you prayed for, and if not those, in the better purpose God has prepared for you. When you’ve crossed over from almost to already, may nothing diminish the joy of your actualization. May you never take for granted what God has finally granted.
The AlmostÂ
The most uncomfortable place to shelter
Is in that narrow space between seasons
Ready, set and in position
In the quiet pause of a split second
Caught at the tautest stretch of the rubber bandÂ
Right before it shoots you forward
Potential poised to step over the lineÂ
If only the gun would fireÂ
Kinetic energy suspendedÂ
Just between here and there.Â
Love to the faithful and to the late arrivals! That’s all I have for you today. Almost thought I wouldn’t be back, didn’t ya? Stay tuned for more. She’s not done yet.
This is beautiful my dear friend. It's always a savored read for me. Everything I read I feel like I catch up with the 'happenings' of your world.... I see your heart. Looking forward to Christmas edition!
This was such a timely word I had to comment. I also really love the new layout. God bless you!