parents – Blisswood

Shuttled Sagacity

Coconut Sunrise beach photo shared by Owen ~ Kauai 2023

Behave with people as you would if Christ were present. And so, you will never have regrets for anything or anyone. ~ Gerontissa Gavrilia

I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.

But, sitting in the front row of an airport shuttle bus, I couldn’t help but overhear another passenger’s glum observation (directed to the driver), on the difficulty of a certain situation.

The shuttle driver paused a moment to consider the remark, then sincerely and somewhat amusedly said…

“Well, like I tell my kids – Nothing’s hard – unless you think it’s hard!

Frēond

An Affinity of Apple Blossoms Vie in Tandem for Sunshine

The Old English word frēond is the source of the word friend – which means to love, like, honour, to set free from slavery or confinement.

On the flip side of the coin, the Old English word fēond, (frēond WITHOUT an “R”) meant fiend – an enemy, foe, hater, reviler, devilish. These two completely opposite Old English words are separated by just one letter, as they continue today in modern English.

Throughout my life and like most people, I’ve experienced the many degrees of kith and kin friendships – including affinity of neighbours, classmates, acquaintances, and coworkers. But, I’ve found the most true, meaningful, and lasting of friendships are those rooted in a deep, spiritual bond. Our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ unites us in understanding and purpose… To help us grow together toward the Light… To help us Bloom and acquire the Fruits and Gifts of the Holy Spirit… To help us become the friends of God. What a Friend we have in Jesus! His Amazing Love never changes! Thank you Oh most Holy Trinity our God! Glory be to Thee!

God loves us more than a father, mother, friend, or any else could love, and even more than we are able to love ourselves. ~ St. John Chrysostom

A faithful friend is beyond price, since he regards his friend’s misfortunes as his own, and suffers with him, sharing his trials until death. ~ St. Maximus the Confessor

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. ~ Proverbs 18:24

The genuiness of a friend is shown at a time of trial, if he shares the distress you suffer. ~ St. Thalassios the Libyan

Concern yourself only that you have God for a friend, and do not be afraid of anything. Behold, He is your only friend Who loves you without change. ~ St. Nikolai Velimirovich

From the Depths of the Heart

St. Basil the Great’s Monastery Church, carved into soft, volcanic, Cappadocian rock. Goreme, Turkey – 2004

Love of God is not something that can be taught. We did not learn from someone else how to rejoice in light or want to live, or to love our parents or guardians. It is the same – perhaps even more so – with our love for God: it does not come by another’s teaching. ~ St. Basil the Great

Preserve gratitude like a precious deposit within your soul, and from it you will receive a double portion of delight. Remember the apostolic word, “Give thanks in all circumstances.” ~ St. Basil the Great

The radiance of divine beauty is altogether beyond the power of words to describe. ~ St. Basil the Great

A dear friend shared this beautiful, numinous, prayer: “Speaking with God from the Depths of the Heart” by St. Gregory of Narek (951-1003 AD); it’s beyond the power of words to describe.

Start Walking!

The Old Bridge was constructed on top of long tree trunk. Point No Point, BC Canada

The only way to attain an important goal – is by doing.

When recovering from an injury, the physiotherapist suggested taking a local gym membership, and continue daily strengthening exercises on my own. I did, and initially all gung-ho, it was shocking to soon discover the grueling exercises in themselves weren’t the arduous part … The hardest part for me, was actually getting to the gym. Going to the gym became a battle. Every. Single. Time. Bizarrely, once at the gym, all was fine. But, to do it- I just had to go.

I’ve heard from parents, that the hardest part of going to church with babies, youth, or teens, is just getting there. Once they’re there, all is fine. But, to do it- they just had to come.

Time is shorter than we think, and we can’t afford to put off essential intentions by waiting for perfect conditions to start. Tomorrow never comes. There is only today.

To reach a goal, the name of the bridge we cross over is- Start Doing.

True, one may know man’s final goal: communion with God. And one may describe the path to it: faith, and walking in the commandments, with the aid of divine grace. One need only say in addition: here is the path- start walking! ~St. Theophan the Recluse

Happy Family Day!

Rear view of family housing in Bari, Italy – 2017. This is near St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Basilica, which houses his myrrh-streaming relics. They were moved in the 11th century from his original shrine in Myra, Turkey, to Bari, Italy- for protection, when Myra came under Saracen rule.

This year, secular Family Day also falls on the ancient and beautiful Feast of the Meeting of the Lord in the Temple.

Happy Feast Day and Family Day to my family, near and far… Related by blood or Spirit. May God grant all your petitions according to your salvation!

Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. ~ Exodus 20:12

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brethren dwell in unity! ~Psalm 133:1

My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching. ~ Proverbs 6:20

Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers. ~ Proverbs 17:6

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. ~ Proverbs 22:6

Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her… ~ Proverbs 31:28

As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. ~ Isaiah 66:13

For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother. ~ St. Matthew 12:50.

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named… ~Ephesians 3:14-15

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. ~ Colossians 3:20

Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers… ~ 1 Timothy 5:1

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. ~ 1 Timothy 5:8

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation… ~ 1 Peter 2:2

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. ~ 1 Peter 4:8