Happy Wednesday Peeps!
Welcome to new subscribers! I cannot tell you how excited it makes me feel when I welcome new peeps to our TSJ pastures. Hopefully you have read enough to understand what that means.
Have you ever heard of a yesbut tree? That is today’s story.
Solomon is our chief planning officer for the blogs. He keeps his ideas from me until Wednesday morning. I am not quite sure why he works that way. Maybe it is to increase my faith and trust. So each week this blog is as much a surprise to me as to anyone. And it occurs to me I am learning that is actually similar to life. Each day is a creative process that brings unexpected, unanticipated happenings. This makes it both challenging and interesting for us.
So today as I was once again sitting quietly on our deck having what I have been calling an “Eden moment” with sun shining and birds singing and spring springing when Solomon whispered, “Why don’t you tell your peeps what you are learning about the yesbut tree?”
I giggled to myself and thought, “Why not?” It is just a personal experience of the ancient story of the first humans (Adam and Eve) who happily enjoyed the ultimate life of no worries and nirvana type living…until ….
And it is true that noticing the richness of certain moments lately has helped me focus with gratitude about Eden like graces we receive daily that are so magnificent I can neither explain them nor create them by myself.
After all, my perspective in this universe is way too small to fully realize its magnificence. In fact, I believe even our collective perspective is way too small to fully appreciate how well cared for we are and how much perfection there is in moments that feel less than perfect to us.
When our inner eyes are open to new views and our hearts are filled with gratitude no matter what, something really does shift way down deep.
Solomon and I are opening ourselves to new views on life, even without our delightful Mr. Tom’s cheery voice encouraging us! We hear that voice in our heads and feel its goodness in our hearts.
I personally thought that I just might not ever again feel that bounce in my step and gut-giving laughter I have enjoyed through the years. I wondered if I ever again enjoy music that … faithful balm for my soul. When I tried I cried.
But as all of you knew it would happen again and gradually true happiness about being alive has returned. My faith said it would happen, but sorrow reigned and I could not see past that sorrow.
Solomon is quite delighted. He too is enjoying new views. He is sitting off to my left, facing me and the window wearing that smug grin of “knowing.”
Eden Moments and our Yes-But tree . . .
Today’s TSJ story is about our Eden moments.
The other day I was sitting quietly on our deck in the warm sun with birds singing. The world around me was utterly peaceful. I was spending time with our divine Shepherd…quiet time. Journaling and reading, contemplating and meditating. It felt wonderful. I felt so very thankful.
This is must be an Eden moment I thought. Perfect. All was literally peaceful and radiant.
I thanked God for the moment. And was content.
If you have followed the WW blog you already know I am in the midst of the mess of moving. Both literally from our TSJ headquarters (home) within my own spirit.
Like spring, new life in any form can be messy. Even as I sat there happily thinking about the beauty around me…other thoughts quickly popped up like dandelions in the lawn.
So if you know the ancient Adam and Eve story you can already guess what I did immediately. I took a bite out of the “yesbut” tree.
The backyard is beautiful this moment even exquisitely beautiful, I thought, but it may rain and I have people coming to see the house and it will be messy in no time. Grass grows fast and uneven. Buds drop like blankets from the maple trees on the deck and in the driveway. Pollen leaves a greenish film on deck furniture and all surfaces. How will I get it all done in time?
It was then the proverbial tree of “knowledge of good and evil” became my “yes..but tree. ” How tempting is the fruit of the “yes-but tree!” And it separates us from our Shepherd who delights in our happiness.
Any time you feel the nudge to be happy beware of the “yesbut tree!”
Use this awareness as a strategy for your stress management toolkit today. Watch how it works! It brings you immediately into the Now and makes room for gratitude to move in.
Locally, this day is beautiful with no “ifs ands or buts” about it! A good time to start!
I hear your brains shaking up thoughts like mine does… “Yes, but (yesbut) what about the hungry, the lonely, the sick etc.?
Let’s pool our joy and send out strength rather than fear. It is a good place to start in this very moment. The next moment will be clear when necessary.
I have said over and over during Toms’ journey in hospice, there is such a thing as what I call “just in time grace.”
Let’s watch for it. We will see that grace anytime we turn our yes..buts into gratefulness.
Happy shepherding out there in your pastures!
Margie and Solomon
