May 19, 2023

Life is short, and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who walk the way with us, so be swift to love, and be haste to be kind...  We end our services each week with these words, this paraphrase of Jesus' commandment to love one another. The words are stunning in their simplicity, their depth, their truth, and the way they always seem to find new meaning to dovetail with the joys and griefs of the week.

Those words were written by Swiss philosopher Henri-Frédéric Amiel, who was born in 1821. I recently came across a bit of writing that moved me as deeply as the Life is short directive and was surprised - but not surprised! - to learn it was also from Henri-Frédéric Amiel. I believe this new-to-me quote also dovetails with the joys and griefs of our lives. The wonder and mystery of our lives. The wonder and mystery that is God.

Let mystery have its place in you; do not be always turning up your whole soil with the plowshare of self-examination, but leave a little fallow corner in your heart ready for any seed the winds may bring, and reserve a nook of shadow for the passing bird; keep a place in your heart for the unexpected guests, an altar for the unknown God. Then if a bird sing among your branches, do not be too eager to tame it. 

My prayer for you this week is to let mystery have its place in you. To leave in your heart an altar for the unknown God. And whether it is a song of joy or one of much-needed comfort, for birds to sing among your branches.