I’ve come to appreciate the value of the events and circumstances in life as an intricate web, perfectly constructed to support my spiritual unfolding. This brings gratitude for my relationship with the divine essence that keeps feeding me in new ways, and for the power that sustains, teaches and carries me to higher ground — even when I resist.

Stepping back for perspective, I recognize that as I grow in spiritual readiness, experiences present exactly what is needed for my next step. My gratitude for this process leads me to celebrate life in all its diversity. A prayer I appreciate by Rami Shapiro says, “It is up to us … to meet the World, to embrace the Whole, even as we wrestle with its parts.”

As a child I would kneel, spine so straight, knees aching, to read the Communion prayers aloud, begging for forgiveness, trying to figure out how my behaviors merited such shame. Thank heaven life — Life? — guided me beyond that belief. Through the grace of opportunities I have either embraced or wrestled with, the divine, in my understanding, is no longer a judging, paternalistic figure.

I have opened my heart past those childhood misconceptions to a loving power holding me and all of creation in its wholeness and protection. I appreciate the myriad serendipitous experiences and convergences that have brought what I need, saved me from what I don’t see, and continue to offer the perfect opportunity to learn what I am ready to understand.

Now the spiritual path feels more like a process of interacting with life: a process I can trust, resting in the hand of creation if you will, witnessing the presentation of circumstances where I may choose to align my feeling and mind with the infinite mind. Overriding the plans of my “little s” self and opening my heart to the divine spark, I move out of the way. Then, “big S” Self can shift my perspective or take me in a new direction. When I slow down and listen to that “little voice within” of spiritual intuition, it guides me out of harm’s way, shows solutions or guides me into positive opportunities.

The words of Unitarian Donald Harrington capture the essence of that protective, guiding hand: “I am surrounded by universal life and its laws and can appropriate its power. It understands my needs, encourages my efforts and when they harmonize with its vast, mysterious purposes, it aids them. Like a stream, it bears me along and sustains me so long as I seek to know and obey the rules of life. I am not here on my terms. I am here on its terms, that become known to me in the form of natural laws. When I obey them, life is good.”

On behalf of the Lane Interfaith Alliance, you are invited to express gratitude in prayer, song and dance at the 20th annual “Songs of Thanksgiving” celebration on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. at Temple Beth Israel.

Anna Sontag, a board member of Lane Interfaith Alliance, appreciates the spark within all devotion and attends the Unitarian Universalist Church in Eugene. This column is coordinated by LIA to offer inspiration, share personal spiritual experiences and bring a deeper understanding of individual faith perspectives with the intention of blessing the community and the world. For information, visit www.laneinterfaithalliance.org or call 344-0430.