Spiritual Inspiration

Matthew 13: 31-32 "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field; which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches.” The fall of 1989 was the beginning of a very difficult time in my life. I moved back to be near my parents with three children, a trailer full of furniture, no job, and $200. School was starting the following Monday. My parents helped me move into an apartment three weeks later and I signed up to sub in five school districts. It was the wrong time to be looking for a teaching job. My children’s father paid $200 child support, but altogether I had only $90 left over after paying rent. My children were grieving the loss of their dad and their farm, my twenty-year-old cat had to be put down because of kidney failure, and my morning prayer was, “God, please don’t make me live through this day.” He ignored it and I went about getting the children off to school. I was able to get the family in for counseling on a sliding-scale fee and the counselors gave me a pass to get a Thanksgiving basket at the food pantry. When I picked it up and opened it, there on top was a Christmas hand towel. It touched me deeply that someone cared about me. Fast forward to retirement. All three kids had made it through college and I had paid off all of my loans. Marseilles, IL had a terrible flood and I decided to collect Christmas decorations for those families. I contacted the Methodist Church there, the minister set up the basement for me, and her children skipped as they helped me unload the car. I have been doing it every year since. After several failures to connect, I have chosen to give the decorations to the Angel Tree families. It brings joy to those who donate and to those who receive. And it all started with one Christmas hand towel. I wrote this passage for an advent activity at my church. I have put my spiritual beliefs at the end of the year, because religion is so controversial. If you are a Christian, are you "the right kind" of Christian? Are you someone who just goes to church, or does your whole life reflect your experiences with spirit? If you are an atheist, you can stop reading here. You probably already did. For those of us that have had spiritual experiences that are beyond denial, the spirit is a powerful force for good. Beauty, truth, love, these all reflect what we experience when we are receptive to spiritual guidance. For me, the desire to create flows from within by some unknowable process. What makes music cycle in my head unexpectedly? Where do the words come from that describe what it is like to nurse a baby? Why do I choose certain fabrics for my quilt? I can't say I have a direct line with God, but I try to be open and willing to create, to give to others, and to serve others. The rewards have been a cornucopia of good will