Sabbath Messages > Sabbath Message: April 23, 2005
Good Sabbath
April 23, 2005
Thank You, O Lord
for another Sabbath.
Precious is Your gift
Abundant are Your blessings.
May my words reach the soul
of my friends
And
May they be worthy.
I arrived home from Nicaragua, with memories fresh, filled with the fragrance of nature and the blessings of God--if we but open our senses to His daily miracles. On the flight home, I met a doctor who changes the lives of those he touches, by healing the cleft palette of children, by causing the parents to react with joy as they witness the transformation, a child's smile where there was pain and disfigurement before.
"He who has health, has hope: and he who has hope, has everything." (Arabian Proverb)
"A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity to freshen into smiles." (Washington Irving)
The kind doctor was accompanied by his Mom and Dad, with whom I conversed, as well as with his future bride. All had been brightened by this fine gentleman's achievements, bringing happiness to so many--and we ask about miracles. Is a cured mouth any less than a sunrise or a star seeming to beckon our wishes?
And then Madam Fate, jealous for a moment, interceded, when a passenger suffered a stroke and the doctor went to her side; he spent the balance of the flight tenderly tending to her wishes, which were destined to be her last, for God and doctor treat young and old with kindness as they wend their paths towards immortality, accompanied by Fate, fickleness and mystery.
Nicaragua is one of those places that God created so that humankind could harvest what senses are meant to sense: the smell of flowers, the sight of color and beauty, the feel of relaxing breeze, the sharing of sunsets--so gorgeous as to have a digital perfection--and meeting indigenous people who are warm and human, whether poor or ambitiously energized. I saw 300 year old homes being converted into freshly appointed rooms and materials, as old morphed into modern, where interior gardens soothed the occupants' senses with rare beauty, and accents from the world over were the new owners of the once glorious mansions.
One gentleman, had sailed to this place, with his Dad, for many years, decided that this would be his worldly place to harvest what God had created. His resort, Pelican Eyes (Piedras Y Olas),placed above a lovely harbor, carries villas where honeymooners or elderly fulfillment would be provided. As I sat with Kirk, my client and host, and his two lovely partner-professionals, and two former world class professional basketball players, I listened to accents, felt a marvelous breeze--always present and watched each motion of bird, flower, boat, surf, and leaf, as I realized a state of relaxation I had never known, fully appreciating the hotel owner's and Kirk's dedication to environmental sustainability and training for young Nicaraguans, so that this would not become a passing portion of beauty; it had to be shared with future generations.
As the helicopter trudged up and down the coast and across the country, I saw extinct and still-alive volcanoes, waves that surfed to shore looking like Irish lace in texture and beauty, seeing a country poised as a new Costa Rico, offering opportunity and reward to investors who have a special quality to them, as well as other humans who want to live in concert with God's blessings.
"The best part of beauty is that which no picture can express." (Bacon)
"To cultivate the sense of the beautiful is one of the most effective ways of cultivating an appreciation of the divine goodness."( Bovee)
So I added to my travel experience--not by keeping score--but by expanding my long list of friends who like each other, like to be together, miss each other when parted, all the while missing and discussing their loves, with whom we would be reunited soon. My Frances was waiting for me, patiently showing her happiness that I had returned safely.
And I thanked God for adventure, experience, and appreciation. Too often we complain about misadventure by not sensing what is right in front of us. Those are creations that transcend deafness and blindness as they lend themselves to our life's treasures.
Make this Sabbath a lovely day to share your self with one you love and a God Who will appreciate your appreciation.
sandy
