Simple gifts

We do not have to do or be anything special in order to bring hope to the world.

We may not even know when God has used one of us as an angel unaware,

and that's just as well. Our part lies in being open, not to God Out There, 

but In Here, with us, in us.

 from A Stone for a Pillow, Madeline L'Engle

Then said a rich man, Speak to us of Giving,

And he answered : You give but little when you give of your possessions. 

It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.

There are those who give little of the much which they have-and they give it for recognition

 and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome. 

And there are those who have little and give it all.

These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer is never empty.

There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.

And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their baptism.

And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy,

nor give with mindfulness of virtue.

They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space.

Through the hands of such as these God speaks,

and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth.

It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding;

And to the open-handed the search for one who shall receive 

is joy greater than giving.

And is there aught you would withhold?

All you have shall some day be given;

Therefore give now, that the season of giving may be yours

and not your inheritors.

You often say, "I would give, but only to the deserving."

The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks of your pasture.

They give that they may live, 

for to withhold is to perish.

excerpts from "On Giving," from Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet

May Day 2014

Thank you to our friends and neighbors for your gifts!

And despite nearly freezing, Thomas's team won their baseball game tonight!!!

Peace and goodness.