Sabbath Messages | Sabbath Message: March 27, 2004
Good Sabbath
March 27, 2004 "Whoso findeth a good wife findeth a great good,
And obtains favor of the Lord." (Proverbs 18:22)
Gary returns from Brazil with a good woman, a loving attitude, and Gary becomes young again. Self discovery often arrives through the eyes of another person. Youth is the voyage that is part mirage and part reality. Experience is the leading edge of discovery, as the heart, mind and soul choreograph the rhythm of love.
Humans have a choice of behaving like zombies--dead from the neck up--or God-created creatures ,searching the pathways of life for comfort, security and love. As I drive along the oceanfront highway, south from Del Mar to San Diego proper, the vista personifies Eden and life: there is frequently the early morning or early evening murky peek-a-boo wrestling match between cold current and warm air fogging up the windshield.
But nothing can hide the beauty that the senses greatly enjoy, of the jewelry called La Jolla, the Torrey Pines from icelandic beginnings, the surf capturing whatever portion of sunlight as its waves are greeted by the shoreline, and people walking the beach or along the highway, with wild hearts that take in absolute beauty and know that there is a God of creation, sharing it all with each one of us.
The world is born each morning, as sunrise paints the clouds; it is reborn each twilight, as sunset makes memory worthwhile. The passage of hours should be spent in noticing Mother Nature's show and fully appreciating God's creations, including each other. We are no strangers to God's magnificence, for we are part of it. Humans are as marvelous as any blossom, for we blossom also; we capture sunrise, planets, stars and sunset through our eyes which are never camera-shy.
"That which is striking and beautiful is not always good; but that which is good is always beautiful." (Ninon de l'Enclos)
"The soul, by an instinct stronger than reason, ever associates beauty with truth." (Tuckerman)
When our marriage worked its way into the second half of a century, my brain confirmed what my heart had long known. "How does she put up with you", is the affectionate "compliment" that my friends, when introduced to Frances, utter--as if original. She knows that she chose me despite my imperfections and when I discovered one in her, it made no difference, for love can be stubborn-or better still-wise.
Youth requires years to prove that it has achieved some mature wisdom and there is no assurance that one will follow the other. There is also no assurance that there will be patience, no matter how it is required in order for love to prosper. You see, a person can love God, no matter the ills of the planet, or the terrible failures of peace. We need a "Rock", a foundation, upon which we can structure our beliefs and arrive at faith. There is no insurance policy that comes with birth and evolving life lived. There is only learning through experience, loving through patience and understanding, fulfillment through the harmony of dream and realization.
Thank You, O Lord
For the pleasantness of love
The realization of happiness
The awareness of other than myself
For each is an adventure, called living life
As thrilling as fairy tale
And unlikely as "happy ever after".
For when You blessed me with her--
The world overflowed with possibilities.
"O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tabernacle?...
They that walk uprightly, and work righteousness.
And speak truth in their heart;
And have no slander upon their tongue,
Nor doeth evil to their fellow creatures."
(Psalms 15:1-3)
As Springs arrives, on time, sometimes with weather peculiar or welcome warmth, we see our rebirth in the buds and the songs of winged creatures--trilling their tunes--for they know the feel of Spring and never take it for granted.
This Sabbath welcome Spring as if it were important, for it is more than that.
sandy
