Some times in life we are surprised by the most magnificent gifts of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is mysterious in gift giving. Once some years ago, I went to learn how to cook. Not long after arriving in that place for the first time, I saw someone who made me intensely curious. I could hardly keep from staring. Earnestly I wished to speak, to know their name. They smiled. A small bit of conversation followed.
This person left and I did not know their name, yet more than any other, I wished to see them again!
That some how we found ourselves placed together in the same kitchen, proves to be a wonder, even now.
Because sometimes cooking together is very messy, and sometimes things burn; other times the food is tasty and we are so glad. There are days that the sight of the kitchen is terrifying! Without courage to experiment, at times we turn away; it just seems so hot in there. Boiling water, burnt fingers, we imagine our self unappreciated.
But what was happening here? Mostly good. It came to me over time, that this person simply is a gift. An amazing gift to me by the Holy Spirit. How else could it be? How could I refuse such a gift. While not perfect, we are very lovable. This proves a great help to me. It's my hope I am mostly a help in return, if a clumsy one. And like all gifts, those freely given and freely received, may be freely withdrawn. It's the 'free will' thing. The Spirit does not force anything; it can be surrendered.
This gift given me, cannot be shamed. Some may not understand; some may be jealous, but owing to the Original Giver, we cannot be shamed. Truly we are innocents.
The light of the Spirit is all knowing and I have, often in extreme anxiety, followed its lead, honoring and respecting what I cannot always know or understand.
But one thing I have always discerned is the gift of love, sometimes soft, sometimes tough. I could not have had instances of more beauty and wonder in my life without such great gifts as these. The Bible tells a bit about the gifts of the Spirit, about the light to the world. Keep your courage, engage patience when in darkness, follow the light in your life, as did the disciple John.
"All Good Gifts"
by Godspell
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him
nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
A man named John was sent from God."
--the disciple, John1:1-6
He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him
nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
A man named John was sent from God."
--the disciple, John1:1-6
Posts
