Sower

I'm reading through Nadia Bolz-Weber's sermon for today "The Joy of God's Wastefulness" where she is talking about the sower and a memory pops into my head.

On our honeymoon in I believe was New Hampshire Kate and I took a tour in climax forest. Partway through the tour we came up to a huge rock sticking 8-10 feet out of the forest floor with an 8-10 foot circumference. There in the middle of the rock's top was an old tree, its roots gripping the rock as they reached into the ground. This tree's seed fell on rocky ground but succeeded anyway.

I have often thought that the most robust plants in my yard were the ones growing in the paths.

The sower's seed may fall on ground not suited for growth. But, some will grow, survive and nurture those that follow.

Learned something today

It just dawned on me that the purpose of confession is to take responsibility for your actions and inaction. Growing up Roman Catholic I hated confession as I perceived the confessional as a place to hand the priest my litany of sins to use as ammunition in judging me.

The important part is acknowledging to yourself the sin; much like alcoholics must first acknowledge they are alcoholics. We cannot grow if we do not take responsibility for our shortcomings, all of them. The more shortcomings we acknowledge the better we grow. Those that we do not see or refuse to acknowledge hold us back.

In order to grow we must continue to ask questions and study. Only in that way can we discover  what we do not know. But be forewarned "The more I learn, the less I know".

Differences

You are different from me,
in form, identity, and spirit.

We are equal,
but different.
Comparing is judging.

I do not understand you.
I can not understand you.
Your story is not mine.
Your story affects your form.
Your story teaches
in glimmerings,
should I listen.

You are not me.
Your needs are different.
Tell your story,
helping me to grow
in helping you to grow.

Together we become more.