Meditation Monday, August 16, 2021

by Sharon Ross, Ministers of Spiritual Formation, Spiritual Director, and Assistant to the Senior Pastor

What would happen if we each would look deeply into the eyes of someone and ask the following questions:

“How can I be more loving?”  

“How can I be more kind?” 

What would it be like for you if someone asked you these questions? Personally, I know I would be caught off guard and feel more than a bit uncomfortable. I would, however, also feel deeply honored. 

You see, I think we have gone a bit off the rail these days. The pandemic, lockdowns, depressing news, and all sorts of things have caused many to pull back from others. Who can we trust, anyway? Slowing down enough to ask deep questions such as those above, and then listening with the ears of our heart to a person’s response, is a profound way to show the other that they are cherished; loved and cherished for who they are. I wonder what would happen if we practiced this in our church family?

It Happens All the Time in Heaven

It happens all the time in Heaven,

And some day

It will begin to happen 

Again on earth—

That men and women who are married

And men and men who are

Lovers,

And women and women

Who give each other

Light

Often will get down on their knees

And while so tenderly

Holding their lover’s hand,

With tears in their eyes,

Will sincerely speak, saying,

“My dear,

How can I be more loving to you?

How can I be moreKind?” 

It Happens All the Time in Heaven, by Hafiz