caput II

It's been a few years since I've approached this blog and it's certainly not for lack of something to say.  My life has so radically changed from that first post I've only now returned to writing down what is going through  my mind.
I won't bore you with the details but suffice it to say since 2012 to now a series of events followed that devastated my health and robbed me of my ability to work especially in my beloved nursing field. I loved being a nurse. It's the kind of job you carry with you, kind of like being blue eyed or left handed it was just part of you and it colored how you responded to things both intellectual and practical.  
Also there were personal losses, deaths in the family preceded by loved ones with protracted illnesses and this kept me occupied as well. 
I've never lost my faith though I felt a keen association with Job. 
But God is good and my life has achieved a certain equilibrium again and I am at last in a good place. 
Everyday when I sit down in the morning and open my Daily Office Book before I even start my prayers I always smile close my eyes and say "Thank you Jesus" something my Aunt Della taught me many years ago..always remember to say thank you. 
I've lost much but I've gained new things, new places and new people. And while I would like to think that I'm in my happy place, the place I want to be till Jesus calls, I think I've learned that in so far as this life is concerned nothing is permanent.  We have for awhile and we loose again.  I suppose this is why the ancient Church Mothers and Fathers encouraged us that we not grow too attached to things because the only thing that was permanent in our life is what we create and develop inside us not what's outside of us.
I'm embarking on a brief retreat tomorrow I'm looking forward for the time to be alone with God, to be and express my gratitude to Him.  And also to receive whatever he has for me next.  I'll try to keep in mind the wisdom of the ancient ones, what we have inside is permanent what is out side of us is temporary.  Please God I keep my happy place inside me more than outside me.

caput I

Genesis 3:8 (NRSV) They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?" 10 He said, "I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself." 11 He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?" 12 The man said, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate." 13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent tricked me, and I ate." 14 The LORD God said to the serpent,

"Because you have done this,

cursed are you among all animals

and among all wild creatures;

upon your belly you shall go,

and dust you shall eat

all the days of your life.

15 I will put enmity between you and the woman,

and between your offspring and hers;

he will strike your head,

and you will strike his heel." 

This story fascinates me on many levels. First all the "Swiss Cheese" things you're not supposed to notice, ie., God is a. walking b. that his walking makes a sound c. that you can 'hide' from God and He can't find you LOL!

This must present quite a paradox to the biblical fundamentalist. 

OK moving on, since I'm not a fundamentalist I want to explore some meanings in this story. Obviously the blame game is going on heavy here, "She made me eat it" "The serpent tricked me.." In asking the question "What is this that you have done?" of course God knows full well what it is but now His creation must reflect on his actions. He had  been given a paradise that required only his tending and to enjoy it with the stipulation that he avoid that tree. Actions have consequences. Since you did something another thing will result from it. In this story banishment from the garden. 

In this story 'man' first becomes aware of himself, he learns that he is naked. And that he must cover himself. Lets focus less on the physical nudity and more on the lesson. Man has to take responsibility.He surrendered child like bliss for knowledge, for responsibility.  There is no going back from this point. 

We can use this story to teach children and recall ourselves that each decision we make will have a result. Do I eat coffee and toast and run out the door, or plan a good breakfast. Do I promise a friend something they ask for with no intention of doing it just to get them to leave me alone saving for a later day the broken promise ...you get the idea, right? Lets try to always to see the consequence of each decision.

O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and
rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be
our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee,
to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou
art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.