Sabbath Messages | Sabbath Message: May 15, 2004
Good Sabbath
May 15, 2004 "Purge your soul from angry passion;
That is the inheritance of fools.
The wise harbors neither revenge nor envy."
I spoke to a tree, on my morning walk (yes trees are alive for their "breath"
allows us to breathe). I asked if it believed in God. The tree rustled for a moment, obviously deep in thought, and answered: "yes, we trees believe in a god of wind and rain, of frost and warmth, for without any, we would have no leaves or cones--no reason to be alive."
The tree continued: "we wonder about you humans who seem to be quarrelling always, your violence frightens us. We can hear your conversations with each other as you walk beneath us, and they are more treelike (or human as you would say), with words filled with colorful descriptions--sometimes about us--and wonder about so much violence. Then we hear you speak of your entertainment--even games--that are so filled with explicit violence, your extreme TV shows which are so disgusting as you seem to compete to see who can do the grossest things, eat the most ridiculous bugs, and you speak of your enemies as if they weren't human and we can't understand it."
I mentioned that I was impressed with the vocabulary and asked if losing leaves was painful? "No", the tree replied. "What is painful is wondering whether we would be hit by a drunk driver, or a logger who would chop us down, or a bird that lost its nest and family...you see, we are taught that all that have been created by our god are precious."
I share this with you as you go about your weekend tasks, so that you will appreciate each tree and each bud, each creature that God has created; and know that how we care for each other is far more important to God than what we think of God.
God is forgiving. Are we?
God is in each creation, no matter how tiny
Or how insignificent it may appear,
for if it gives pleasure--
it connects us to Him
and that is why it and we are there.
It was a very busy week, too much driving, but otherwise terrific. I drove 1 1/2 hours to Corona, past Lawrence Welk's memories, much unbuilt land, mountains that tested my car's energy, and memories of every acre I had researched over the years. After that kind of investment of time, I then had to listen to others speak and by the time they got around to the "keynoter" (me), I had no energy or interest in speaking. so I winged into more of a sharing the thoughts of the speaker rather than any presentation. That kind of talk is an exploration of self, kind of like an explorer heading into the unknown, wondering if there is some monster waiting to devour you--puny you. The mysterious force is always the exploring mind that is half afraid and half courageous, and one wonders which half is worthwhile that day, that moment?
The next day was another speech and another audience; my courage lept because I could sense the affection some had for me. Speaking of the future, as I often do and think, is the height of pretentiousness, for you do not want Mother Fate to think that you are competing with her--a losing adventure. But as you explore your experience and sense, you share, for that is the best you can do with any audience.
"A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions." (Confucius)
"Speech is tapestry unfolded."
How are we judged? By our words or our actions? What we think or what we do? What we think we are or what we are? Can we be greater than what others believe we are? Questions have multiple answers, which change through the years. We become what we are meant to be, though Madam Fate is mischievous about the pathways we traverse to reach what and who we become. The truth is that we are always becoming until we become immortal. Some are preoccupied with what others think they are. A few don't care for they are true to themselves.
So as you talk, alone or with someone you love, remember that both a tree and God are listening and wondering whether you are listening to what you are saying.
Hold someone dear this Sabbath, and share how important she/he is to you.
sandy
