The Way It Is, by William Stafford There’s a thread you follow. It goes among things that change. But it doesn’t change. People wonder about what you are pursuing. You have to explain about the thread. But it is hard for others to see. While you hold it you can’t get lost. Tragedies happen; people get hurt or die; and you suffer and get old. Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding. You don’t ever let go of the thread.
Thank you for reflecting back and thank you for this added story. At first I cringed at the image the shepherd wrote about of breaking the lambs legs but then tried to understand this work as an effort to keep the lamb from bringing greater harm to itself or its fellow lambs. And that the healing happens in companionship is a gentle way to offer renewal or rebuilding. I appreciate you offering me this to consider and always appreciate so much the way you read closely and offer back your wisdom.
I’m so glad you forgot your laptop and stayed present to your team and youth that were with you! And what gifts came out of that forgetting. Thanks for sharing this today.
I loved your image of the thread and how God ties it to bring you closer together. I have found that to be true for me personally when an argument or misunderstanding threatens a relationship. These times are when I depend on drawing closer to God in order to resolve them.
Your thread also reminded me of the picture of Jesus, the Good Shepherd with the lamb on his neck. I’m missing the book title and author right now, but a Shepherd looked at this parable and explained that, if a lamb is constantly wandering or creating a problem, the shepherd will break the lambs leg(s), bind them up and then carry it on his shoulders to deepen the relationship between the lamb and the shepherd as the lamb heals.
This is similar to the image of the thread. Both show how God, as the initiator, draws us back to the Love and Closer Relationship we seek deep with our souls.
Thanks again for sharing your personal journey every Sunday.
Thank you for reflecting back and thank you for this added story. At first I cringed at the image the shepherd wrote about of breaking the lambs legs but then tried to understand this work as an effort to keep the lamb from bringing greater harm to itself or its fellow lambs. And that the healing happens in companionship is a gentle way to offer renewal or rebuilding. I appreciate you offering me this to consider and always appreciate so much the way you read closely and offer back your wisdom.
I’m so glad you forgot your laptop and stayed present to your team and youth that were with you! And what gifts came out of that forgetting. Thanks for sharing this today.
I loved your image of the thread and how God ties it to bring you closer together. I have found that to be true for me personally when an argument or misunderstanding threatens a relationship. These times are when I depend on drawing closer to God in order to resolve them.
Your thread also reminded me of the picture of Jesus, the Good Shepherd with the lamb on his neck. I’m missing the book title and author right now, but a Shepherd looked at this parable and explained that, if a lamb is constantly wandering or creating a problem, the shepherd will break the lambs leg(s), bind them up and then carry it on his shoulders to deepen the relationship between the lamb and the shepherd as the lamb heals.
This is similar to the image of the thread. Both show how God, as the initiator, draws us back to the Love and Closer Relationship we seek deep with our souls.
Thanks again for sharing your personal journey every Sunday.