Working with love

Cloud of Witnesses…

With current day events, we hear and see a great deal about witnesses and influence or power. Yet, oftentimes, information can be skewed or lacking in merit, but still repeated and passed along as fact. This isn’t a new problem, though. Perhaps it is more rampant, but nonetheless it has always been the case that for any situation, it is best when sifted through more than once and held in context, but also alongside openness to truth, no matter what, and a desire to earnestly look at the entire picture. This cannot be done with a battlefield attitude or a mindset of “me against you” or “us against them.”

In chapter twelve of the letter to the Hebrews, St. Paul encourages the people as brothers and sisters, which is the way that he usually refers to the intended recipients of his letters and preaching, to let go of the things that hold them back, and to take comfort, draw strength, and be inspired by the example and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior. He starts out this passage reminding his audience of who they really are—brothers and sisters. Then, another reminder when he writes, “Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…” It’s interesting to pause there and not only sit with that image, but also reflect upon it in a personal way. Who is in your cloud of witnesses? How have they influenced you? And you them? Also, what is behind that influence?

Brothers and sisters:
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us
and persevere in running the race that lies before us
while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus,
the leader and perfecter of faith. – Hebrews 12:1-2

Harvesting Joy…

In the neighborhood where I grew up, an older, very kindhearted couple lived at the end of the street. Each fall afternoon, over the course of a number of weeks, the neighborhood children would gather in their front yard to collect chestnuts freshly dropped from the two huge trees that adorned their lawn.

As I think back, I do not recall anyone ever asking permission. Somehow, though, it was a privilege extended to school aged children from one year to the next. I am not sure that any of us knew how it started, but undeniably, the couple received our presence just as graciously as they offered their harvest. You see, they also had a beautiful vegetable garden with tomatoes, cucumbers, summer squash, and zucchini among other things. The husband would walk down the street every so often to deliver a bag full of fresh produce to our door. The gift of his presence, generosity, and kindness along with the delicious, wholesome vegetables that he and his wife had nurtured and delivered with great love brought much abundance and joy to them, that they, in turn, shared with their neighbors.

While I did not know much about this couple as a child, or even later, what I witnessed in them spoke volumes and stuck better than glue. They put their heart and soul into their work; work that was meaningful and that could be of service to many. As a result, their garden overflowed not only with produce but also in spirit. Rather than storing it all away or letting it become spoiled, Wisdom led them to open their store to others. They received as well as they gave of themselves, and their harvest. In the end, with generosity, they reaped joy.

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