Small acts of kindness
I love stories about small acts of kindness. Stories about people who spill the light.
Saint Brigid (c.450-523) was an Irish woman who founded a community at Kildare, primarily for women. She grew up marked by her high spirits and tender heart, and as a child, she heard St. Patrick preach, which she never forgot.
Many legends and few facts survive about Brigid, but this we know; she could not bear to see anyone hungry or cold. She was in the habit of giving freely of her father’s (Dubthach) possessions, and food to the poor and needy. Her father became so frustrated he decided to sell her to the King and bundled her into his chariot. He left her at the castle gate, while he consulted with the King, and Brigid was approached by a beggar asking for alms. She gave him her father’s sword.
Brigid’s father and the king were amazed, and the king said he could not buy her from her father: “She is too good for me. I could never win her obedience.”
When Dubthach protested, Brigid replied, “Christ dwells in every creature.”
(Gratitude to my Sabbath Moment friends, Martin and Barbara.)
Before we go down any road of comparison (after all, she is a saint), as near as I can tell, the qualities for sainthood in Brigid’s case include gutsy and spirited wholeheartedness, unselfishness (no hunger for the spotlight), willingness to share the loot, simplicity of spirit, and no appetite to be captive to public opinion.
It is, after all, the light in each one of us. She took to heart Jesus’ words, “You are the light.” Not “in only”. Not “when”. Simply, “Let your light shine.”
I was raised in a church tradition that asked, very often, “What do you believe?”
And I learned early, how to give the “right” answers. And I remember being “corrected” if I was “wrong”.
I know now that this paradigm focuses on the wrong question. I no longer ask, “What do you believe?”
Now I ask, “Please tell me what (or how) you choose?”
In other words, your beliefs can say one thing, but tell me where your feet hit the ground. Tell me where your heart reaches out. Tell me where your faith has hands, and feet. Tell me where your light spills.
Speaking of paradigm changes, Jesus’ message transformed our world. “The heart of Jesus’ message is that loving ‘others’ means caring not only for family and friends but even for strangers—whoever is in need, whether we know them or whether they are like us.” Bart Ehrman said in an interview this week.
And no, this is not easy in a world where it is so tempting to pull a thick stocking cap over our eyes and ears.
I can hear Bob Dylan singing, “Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head and pretend that he just doesn’t see?”
I do pay attention, and I do see how my friends in minority communities are treated and affected. And then just recently, I read this statement, made by a pastor, “Empathy is dangerous. Empathy is toxic.”
“So many people who claim to follow Jesus appear to have no idea what he actually taught,” said Bart Ehrman.
Yes. We are back to the paradigm shift. “Please tell me what (or how) you choose?”
Today, in a world that can feel upside down, can I choose to be merciful, kindhearted, inclusive and empathetic? Can I choose to stand up for justice and to create sanctuaries for healing and forgiveness?
Tell me the weight of a snowflake,” a coal-mouse (a small bird) asked a wild dove.
“Nothing more than nothing,” was the answer.
“In that case, I must tell you a marvelous story,” the coal-mouse said.
“I sat on a fir branch, close to its trunk, when it began to snow—not heavily, not in a raging blizzard—no, just like in a dream, without a wind, without any violence. Since I did not have anything better to do, I counted the snowflakes settling on the twigs and needles of my branch. Their number was exactly 3,741,952. When the 3,741,953rd dropped onto the branch, nothing more than nothing, as you say, the branch broke off.”
Having said that, the coal-mouse flew away.
You see, it takes just one snowflake to make a difference.
Just one.
Every once in a while, we’ve all been pestered by the question, “Does what I do, or give, or offer, make any difference? Does it mean anything?” Sometimes it doesn’t take much to make me wonder.
Recently, I’ve heard people confess, “Why even try?” And I get it.
But I have found that this question (Do I make a difference?) messes with me only when I assume that something is missing from my life. Or that I need to prove something to someone. And it doesn’t help that we live in a culture that assumes “enough is never enough.” (Only ensuring that we will respond to the question with an even more frenzied lifestyle.)
I do know this: When our paradigm is about performance (and our identity attached to such), we see any endeavor, including kindness, under the microscope of a race or contest or beauty pageant.
So, back to where we began. I love stories about people who spill the light. And I am reminded of David Orr’s quote. “The plain fact is that the planet does not need more successful people. But it does desperately need more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of every kind.”
Yes. One snowflake at a time.
And here’s the deal: the affirmation, “you are the light of the world”, can make all the difference.
If we let this affirmation take root, our capacity to make a difference, one gift at a time, tells us that despair doesn’t win.
We can choose
We can act
We can risk
We can fail
We can forgive
We can offer hope
We can bear witness
We can affirm human dignity
We can stand up to hatred and despair
We can be the light of the world
In this dance we call life
On this planet we call home
Celtic Christmas music fills the air as I write this. And the tree is almost decorated. Savor your moments this holiday season my friends. Moments to pause. Moments to be replenished. And moments to reach out to those around you who could use a helping hand. Happy Hannukah to my Jewish brothers and sisters. And a blessed Christmas to all.
Quote for our week…
“Christmas is the story of God breaking into the world with a new kind of power; love power, peace power.” And a reminder about Jesus’ words, “But I say, love all people, be gentle with each other, care for the ‘other’ and also, you can’t get to the kingdom of God unless you come as a child.” Rev. Jacqui Lewis
I am so very grateful that you are a part of Sabbath Moment. And grateful for the support that makes it possible. Please, pass Sabbath Moment on to friends. And invite them to join us.
BULLETIN BOARD
Today’s Photo Credit: “Good morning, Terry, Several years ago, I was watching heavy snow fall quietly in our backyard. As I was focusing my camera on this wintry scene, a cardinal made a sudden appearance. Its vibrant red color stood out against the white. The memory of this moment remains a source of comfort and happiness for me. I am thankful for your thoughtful daily meditations which also bring me comfort and encouragement. Blessings,” Alan Wentz (Richmond, VA)… Thank you Alan… Thank you to all, I love your photos… please, keep sending them… send to terryhersheyster@gmail.com
Yes, your gift makes a difference… Donation = Love…
Help make Sabbath Moment possible. I write SM because I want to live with a soft heart; to create a place for sanctuary, empathy, inclusion, compassion and kindness… a space where we are refueled to make a difference. SM remains free.
(Address by check: PO Box 65336, Port Ludlow, WA 98365)
POEMS AND PRAYERS
Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
by Max Ehrmann ©1927
