Sorrow

SORROW

lifted from the book Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman

Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing (2 Cor. 6:10)

Sorrow was beautiful, but his beauty was the beauty of the moonlight shining through the leafy branches of the trees in the woods. His gentle light made little pools of silver here and there on the soft green moss of the forest floor. And when he sang, his song was like the low, sweet calls of the nightingale, and in his eyes was the unexpectant gaze of someone who has ceased to look for coming gladness. He could weep in tender sympathy with those who weep, but to rejoice with those who rejoice was unknown to him.


Joy was beautiful, too, but hers was the radiant beauty of a summer morning. Her eyes still held the happy laughter of childhood, and her glistened with the sunshine's kiss. When she sang, her voice soared upward like a skylark's, and her steps were the march of a conqueror who has never known defeat. She could rejoice with anyone who rejoices, but to weep with those who weep was unknown to her.

Sorrow longingly said, "We can never be united as one." "No, never," responded Joy, with eyes misting as she spoke, "for my path lies through the sunlit meadows, the sweetest roses bloom when I arrive, and songbirds await my coming to sing their most joyous melodies."

"Yes, and my path," said Sorrow, turning slowly away, "leads through the dark forest, and moon flowers, which open only at night, will fill my hands. Yet the sweetest of all earthly songs - the love song of the night - will be mine. So farewell, dear Joy, farewell."

Yet even as Sorrow spoke, he and Joy became aware of someone standing besides them. In spite of the dim light, they sensed a kingly Presence, and suddenly a great and holy awe over-whelmed them. They then sank to their knees before Him.

"I see Him as the King of Joy," whispered Sorrow," for on feet are the scars of a great victory. And before Him all my sorrow is melting away into deathless love and gladness, I now give myself to Him forever."

"No, Sorrow," said Joy softly, "for I see Him as the King of Sorrow, and the crown on His head is a crown of thorns, and the nailprints in His hands and feet are the scars of terrible agony. I also give myself to Him forever, for soorow with Him must be sweeter than any joy I have ever known."

"Then we are one in Him,"they cried in gladness,"for no one but He could unite Joy and Sorrow. "Therefore they walked hand in hand into the world, to follow Him through storms and sunshine, through winter's severe cold, and the warmth of summer's gladness, and to be "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing."

"Fear not.." for Life is more meaningful if we find joy in the "sorrow" that we been through.

SHAKE IT OFF

SHAKE IT OFF

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old and the well needed to be covered up anyway, it was just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey. He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.

At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. then, to everyone's

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping stone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up! amazement, he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off!

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries
3. Live simply
4. Give more
5. Expect less.

Journey

“In life we always search for answer because we want to prove ourselves that we had the right decisions but the truth is we cant search for what is not there…things happen because it’s meant to happen…that’s why we forgive people even if they hurt us…we love people who don’t love us and we smile despite every painful crash in our heart…At the end of the day, the lessons that we get are the answer to our decision.”

A text message I received few days ago from a friend which allows me to reflect upon and came up with an insight that somewhat these captures my journey, especially during this stage of my formation. Everyday is but a day of continual discernment and response to the way of life which I embrace some 5 years now. As days past by, demands of me to live out my Religious Vows faithfully also progress as new learning’s and insights is bestowed upon me (both spiritual and socio-communal).

It’s been another year of constant battle and struggle, of loving and hurting, of learning and unleashing, of gaining and letting go…all of this meant to happen because of the decision which I freely and publicly profess to the Order and to the Church. A response to the vocation which I firmly believe… A Gift.