Saturday, May 2, 2020

While We All Are Feeling Our Way...


He has told you, O man, what is good; 
and what does the LORD require of you 
but to do justice, and to love kindness, 
and to walk humbly with your God?
 Micah 6:8


I had hoped through all ‘This’ most of us would turn more loving 
but it seems its still the same; loving only on our terms 
and hating with a passion those who do not agree! 
And we cannot blame this on COVID-19, only on our hearts!

Seems some things never change; 
below an excerpt from a conversation between Robbie Burn's father and a neighbour
in Scotland in the 1700s
from the book The Wind That Shakes The Barley



Not one of us had been through anything like this before
Some call it COVID -19 while others have called it war
So while we all are feeling our way through the unknowns
Let’s make our greatest effort yet to love and not throw stones

This life we live is precious and a sacred, single leap
Not much we can take with us to that Great Immortal Sleep
So while we have each other, should we not strive to be kind
For though we take nothing with us, we leave so much behind

...and all the stones we hurl accomplish only hate, not love
No matter how uncertain times may be, we ought to prove
Not with loud lashing out about things we see but in part
But with sacred awareness for He who beholds the heart

The greatest of these, love, does not release us from its charge
When we are disappointed in life's circumstance At Large
But even greater then, the need that we stand strong and true
Revering life’s Creator with what we are called to do

Abhor that which is evil and cling to that which is good
And though we are appalled at evil's multiplying brood
Pray we do not confuse opinion with our Utmost Call
To love Him and each other; this, the Greatest Law of all

Advancement does not absolve our 'whole duty of man'
These modern days we live in too will end where Time began
And pray, what will we do when, face to face with God above
He opens up our book of life and finds we failed to love

© Janet Martin

 When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: 
Fear God and keep His commandments, 
because this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, 
along with every hidden thing, 
whether good or evil.
Eccles.12:13-14

 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart 
and with all your soul
 and with all your mind.’[a]  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it:
 ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matt.22:36-40 

 We are all COVID-19-restriction weary, but come on,
let's not make it worse by hurling stones as we disagree on how things should be handled!
 Let's please use this as a time to love more, not hate more!
Things are hard enough without lack of love!

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I hope you enjoyed your pause on this porch and thank-you for your visit!