The roles of leader and follower switch places when I change spiritual paths. The learning curve steepens as well when administrative duties spark a more official capacity in participation.
I was once at a little airport in the jungles of Bolivia, near the Rio de Madre de Dios, one of the mighty Amazon tributaries, when I saw two young Mormon missionaries, who also immediately saw me.
I invited them to sit with me at my table and asked them where they were from. “Utah or Idaho?” One from each. I told them how much I respected the goodness of their people back home and even though I wasn’t in the market for a new religion, I told them I wanted to honor their dedication by buying them lunch. Those two young men, maybe a little home sick and a little lonely, seemed to appreciate this gentile showing them some kindness.
I prefer not to get down into the doctrinal, dogmatic mud with any person of faith, and rather assume they live up to the highest aspirations of their faith. That’s where we can truly be brothers and sisters to make the world a kinder, more empathetic place. I think the Almighty would approve and I’m rarely disappointed.
Ah, Sue. You bring back such memories to me with this post. Thank you so much. I appreciate the photo you included of you and your guitar. I remember well the prayer you included at the end here. You will no doubt know this one, the prayer that carried me safely through my career.
" I have risen this morning by Thy grace, O my God, and left my home trusting wholly in Thee, and committing myself to Thy care. Send down, then, upon me, out of the heaven of Thy mercy, a blessing from Thy side, and enable me to return home in safety even as Thou didst enable me to set out under Thy protection ..."
Definitely one of my favorites. It gave me that little nudge to walk out the door and into the world with a little bit more confidence. Thank you, Sharron, and Allah'u'Abha!
Sue, it sounds to me, and I've enjoyed your pieces, fhat you were born an artist. That's spiritual. Music, songs, writing, travel...life in the growing lane. An aside, I once saved the cake-sized Baháʼí church on 11th Street here in Manhattan, simply because I and my neighbors didn't want a few young Broolyn natives to have their very wealthy parents buy the space next door to the church for a music bar cafe that would have changed our NYS liquor licensing laws. I won the case. It kept the 200ft rule all over the state. No liquor within 200ft of a religous or school bldg. It was a solitary job in the end. Fighting the all-male crowd at the SLA. Worthy of the bldg's kindergarten and auditorium where, on open-mike night, the public was welcome to speak on weekends about any topic, and jazz musicians from Harlem traveled downtown to play for free. Including Dizzy G[llespie of the Baháʼí faith. The tiny 2-story church is still there decades later. No high-rise carved out above it, just open sky on a narrow Manhattan sidestreet. Somebody "up there" approved.
Just googled it and found the NYC Baha'i Center at 53 E. 11th Street. A narrow side street, just like you described; but it looks like time and progress has encased it within bigger buildings. Still, the concerts seem to be continuing and the interior spaces are comfortable and warm with hints of the Persian history of the faith. Brought back some nice memories. Thank you, Constance.
What a beautiful comment. Thank you so much for this story. I've never heard of this and it is indeed wonderful. And Dizzy Gillespie, of course, makes that one of his musical homes. The open mic ... is it still going on? Such a place and openness for expression is how people can bring unity and peace to the world. Congratulations and thank you for your courage to fight for this church and to win the case.
I was once at a little airport in the jungles of Bolivia, near the Rio de Madre de Dios, one of the mighty Amazon tributaries, when I saw two young Mormon missionaries, who also immediately saw me.
I invited them to sit with me at my table and asked them where they were from. “Utah or Idaho?” One from each. I told them how much I respected the goodness of their people back home and even though I wasn’t in the market for a new religion, I told them I wanted to honor their dedication by buying them lunch. Those two young men, maybe a little home sick and a little lonely, seemed to appreciate this gentile showing them some kindness.
I prefer not to get down into the doctrinal, dogmatic mud with any person of faith, and rather assume they live up to the highest aspirations of their faith. That’s where we can truly be brothers and sisters to make the world a kinder, more empathetic place. I think the Almighty would approve and I’m rarely disappointed.
Ah, Sue. You bring back such memories to me with this post. Thank you so much. I appreciate the photo you included of you and your guitar. I remember well the prayer you included at the end here. You will no doubt know this one, the prayer that carried me safely through my career.
" I have risen this morning by Thy grace, O my God, and left my home trusting wholly in Thee, and committing myself to Thy care. Send down, then, upon me, out of the heaven of Thy mercy, a blessing from Thy side, and enable me to return home in safety even as Thou didst enable me to set out under Thy protection ..."
Definitely one of my favorites. It gave me that little nudge to walk out the door and into the world with a little bit more confidence. Thank you, Sharron, and Allah'u'Abha!
Thanks for sharing your spiritual journey Sue.
Sue, it sounds to me, and I've enjoyed your pieces, fhat you were born an artist. That's spiritual. Music, songs, writing, travel...life in the growing lane. An aside, I once saved the cake-sized Baháʼí church on 11th Street here in Manhattan, simply because I and my neighbors didn't want a few young Broolyn natives to have their very wealthy parents buy the space next door to the church for a music bar cafe that would have changed our NYS liquor licensing laws. I won the case. It kept the 200ft rule all over the state. No liquor within 200ft of a religous or school bldg. It was a solitary job in the end. Fighting the all-male crowd at the SLA. Worthy of the bldg's kindergarten and auditorium where, on open-mike night, the public was welcome to speak on weekends about any topic, and jazz musicians from Harlem traveled downtown to play for free. Including Dizzy G[llespie of the Baháʼí faith. The tiny 2-story church is still there decades later. No high-rise carved out above it, just open sky on a narrow Manhattan sidestreet. Somebody "up there" approved.
Just googled it and found the NYC Baha'i Center at 53 E. 11th Street. A narrow side street, just like you described; but it looks like time and progress has encased it within bigger buildings. Still, the concerts seem to be continuing and the interior spaces are comfortable and warm with hints of the Persian history of the faith. Brought back some nice memories. Thank you, Constance.
What a beautiful comment. Thank you so much for this story. I've never heard of this and it is indeed wonderful. And Dizzy Gillespie, of course, makes that one of his musical homes. The open mic ... is it still going on? Such a place and openness for expression is how people can bring unity and peace to the world. Congratulations and thank you for your courage to fight for this church and to win the case.