Your servants, the bees

Friday, June 14, 2019

All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
   and all your faithful shall bless you.  They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,
   and tell of your power, 
to make known to all people your^* mighty deeds.  (Psalm 145:1-12)

Your servants, the bees

I sit in the breezeway and watch the bees work their way through lavender blossoms of catmint, sage some call it. They ignore me, and even though they are but 10 feet away, I do not fear them though they number in the dozens.

They are too busy to concern themselves with one human observer of their tireless work. They gather sweet nectar and pollinate creation’s goodness so that I can sit here each morning and be carried away by the myriad diversity of exquisite colors and an extraordinary universe that bursts with life everywhere I look.

Their labor calls to mind a few words from the Easter Vigil liturgy that always makes me smile … even laugh. Sometimes weep.

The writers of that ancient prayer thank the Holy One for the burning candle, a pillar of flame signifying the breaking of death’s power, fed by the melting wax which “your servants, the bees” have provided.

I give thanks for the bees on their morning mission. They carry me into awareness that we live in a universe where everything belongs, everything has a place, and everything has a role to play in a great and holy work, called life.

All that I survey in my morning ruminations makes the life I live and love possible … and beautiful … and filled with hope. The bees and the innumerable processes of nature that surround go about their business, serving the divine Creator’s great work, paying me no mind, yet blessing me every moment.

So I thank you, O Lord, for everything that blesses and gives us life. Thank you for every hand that has touched and cared for me in these days when medical challenges reveal how profoundly I am dependent on the expertise, the skill and the common human goodness of others.

Thank you especially for your servants, the bees, who tell that we each have a part to play to make life real and good, beautiful and bountiful. May I be as faithful as they, loving all you are, all you have made… and doing my small part.

Pr. David L. Miller

Smiles

 ‘You are the light of the world.’ (Matthew 5:14)

Smiles

Let my heart be light today, whatever comes, whatever happens. Let the light of the Love you have privileged me to know and feel shine in every room, on every face, in every moment today.

Let me not lose myself, fearfully forgetting who I am and everything you have given me in a lifetime more surprising than any I could have conceived for myself.

Let me live in the warmth of the smile that fills your face and sparkles in your eyes, as you tell me who I am, “You are the light of the world.”

The joy in your eyes beckons me to wake up and realize I am not empty or wanting. I hold a treasure, the Love that you are, the Love that shines in your face for me, for every human soul and all of creation.

This Love lives in me. This is who I am. And it is enough. It is always enough and always will be.

So I will look at the sun and the sky. My eyes will embrace the greening of the earth, flowers purple and red, lavender and pink, the trees finally full. I will savor the cardinal’s call and follow the flight of the heron that splits my vision as I gaze heavenward.

And somehow I will see your smile in all of it, and I will know everything I need to know … to smile.

Pr. David L. Miller

Born for joy

[T]he fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Born for joy

Joy finds you when you are not looking for it, when your heart is wholly fixed on the moment, when you give something from your depths and the voice of the Spirit whispers in your heart, “It is for this joy that you were born.”

Sunday’s baptism was more boisterous than usual. Three small children bounced against the font making waves across the face of the waters. I handed them the two baptismal candles to hold until the moment we lit the light of Christ for Amelia and Madeline, twin girls.

Wide-eyed and impressed by their great responsibility, the children stood quietly until they discovered baptismal candles make fine swords. The ensuing fencing match proceeded half-way down the center aisle until they were summoned back to the water’s edge as each twin girl was lowered into the waters of eternal blessing.

Completing the rite, Will, the twins’ four-year brother and victorious fencer, held back, not wanting to leave the font despite his father’s entreaty. He looked up at me, and I spontaneously reached for the shell of anointing oil and marked him as I had just marked his sisters, “Beloved Child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.”

“He blessed you,” his father whispered and led him by the hand back to the front pew.

The service continued with prayer and sharing the peace, when another child, Lilly, grabbed me from the back around the legs, giggled and refused to let go.

It wasn’t many years ago that we blessed her in the waters of life and lit a candle. Now we see the light of God’s love in her smile and little girl laugh.

“You were born for this,” the inner Voice of Love whispered as I returned to my place and sat down, thankful for everything that had led me to this single moment when I heard the voice amid tears and purest gratitude.

But it is not just me, of course. The Spirit’s inner speaking is the deep truth of every human life. Each of us is born to share the joy of knowing God’s love flowing through us. We are born to know and share this joy.

Just be where you are. Give yourself to bless the present moment, whatever it is and wherever you are.

Joy will surprise, even today.

Pr. David L. Miller