The Parable of the Two Monks

We were watching a movie a few days ago. A grandmother told her grandson a story:

There were two monks walking across the land on their travels when they came to a river. There was an elderly woman at the river bank and she was very distraught. She needed to cross the river but could not make it by herself. Now, the monks had taken a strict vow to forego any and all contact and touch with women. After a few moments of thought, the older monk reached out to the woman and carried her across the river where he deposited her safely on the other side. The younger monk followed but was very angry with his mentor for breaking his vow. Several hours later, as the monks were making camp for the night, the younger monk asked, “Why did you break your vow? Why did you carry that woman across the river?”, to which the older monk replied, “I put that woman down hours ago. Why are you still carrying her?”

I’ll just put that right here.

The Year That Nothing Happened

I finally “got it” last night. And now, I’m compelled to write about it because, quite frankly, I’m not sure how to respond. I’m glad that this epiphany has come to me. It’s actually quite a relief; with a generous dose of anxiety mixed in.  But, let me explain so others will know what I’m talking about.

I decided to join the Reverb13, and have really enjoyed the introspection and anticipation of the coming year, but some of the daily prompts have really stumped me. You see, besides quietly and happily turning 50 this year, nothing much else has happened, to me and my husband at least. I was inspired, but by the ability of others to stand up and continue on in the face of adversity. Bad adversity. Heartbreak, loneliness, illness, multiple deaths of loved ones; house repairs, job implosions. At times, I think I’ve mentioned before, I actually felt guilty because of how peaceful my life was compared to others around me. And then during the last few weeks, I’ve heard over and over “We’re praying that 2014 is the year that nothing happens”. Last night I heard it again and it finally hit me. This dear lady had lost both her mother and grandmother within just 3 or 4 months of each other. Now her Dad is moving to Florida because of his sorrow, and so essentially she’s losing his presence in her daily life as well. Wow! That’s rough.  I mean seriously – this woman has shown so much strength and peace; I know it’s got to be front; but at the same time, I also know that she is strong in the Lord, and her faith, and a good husband, is what’s carrying her through.

So, as I look back, I’ve seen 2013 as a peaceful and pleasant year, personally.  A year where “nothing much happened”.  I think I’ll just continue to be grateful for that.  It’s funny though, we’ve put wheels in motion right now that could potentially make 2014 one of the busiest, perhaps stressful years in quite a few.  And the crazy thing is, that if one thing happens, it’s going to be crazy, exciting, yada yada; but if it doesn’t happen than the basket will tip in the other direction and all the crazy, exciting, stressful will tip out anyway.  Either way, 2014 looks to be shaping up to be a wonderful but intense year.  I hate to look back, but I hope that this time next year, I can remember 2013 and remember how the wonderful year when nothing much happened.

Why Not?

“Nothing […] will ever be attempted, if all possible objections must be first overcome.”
― Samuel Johnson, The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia

New Beginnings

Good morning.  It’s time, I think, to start writing and journaling again.  My daughter has given me this gift for Christmas.  A journal with the instructions to reflect on 2018 and to look ahead to next year.  We were at a lovely Christmas light show last night.  It was too crowded — the press of people and humanity far too overwhelming.  The lights were beautiful.  However, when you watched them there was an ever changing flow of synchronization that would have been chaos.  Was chaos.  We found a lovely display of Christmas tree lights that stayed steady.  No blinking.  I was able to turn my back on the crowd to look at them.  Chat with my husband.  It so peaceful.  And yet, the chaos of humanity was at my back and worrying me, it never left.  I think 2018 was a lot like that. Even when the chaos was not my own, it never left.  Not completely.  It certainly bears further reflection, but not now.  Not while I’m sitting on a bedroom floor, quietly sipping coffee with my daughter, listening to my husband sleep.  It’s morning.  No one else is awake but us.  The house is quiet.  This is a special moment that will be enjoyed.

Peace be with you all.

12/26/2020

Reply. Oh my. All I can say is “this” certainly didn’t work. In two years. It’s been interesting. Would I change it? Nope. I’m sitting in front of a fire, everything that I wanted or asked for, loving husband, loving dog. I can only wish for others, the happiness that I know. I love my life.

Check out this verse on Bible Gateway

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. – Micah 6:8 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Micah6:8&version=NIV

http://www.intouch.org/Resources/BibleStudies/Content.aspx?topic=The_Greater_Purpose_of_Blessings_devotional2

http://www.intouch.org/Resources/BibleStudies/Content.aspx?topic=The_Greater_Purpose_of_Blessings_devotional2

http://www.intouch.org/Resources/BibleStudies/Content.aspx?topic=The_Holiness_of_God_devotional

http://www.intouch.org/Resources/BibleStudies/Content.aspx?topic=The_Holiness_of_God_devotional

Check out this verse on Bible Gateway

 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. – 1 Peter 5:7-11 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Peter5:7-11&version=NIV

Check out this verse on Bible Gateway

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. – Romans 5:3 – 4 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans5:3-4&version=NIV

What Goodness is

  “Goodness is about character – integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage, and the like. More than anything else, it is about how we treat other people.”

― Dennis Prager