To Have Or To Have Not...

Today I discovered that “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away." Matt 13: 11-12

It was shocking to realize the person who 'has' and the person who 'has not' are at the same place. It is the same thing as the glass half full or glass half empty comparison. There is no difference except in the perspective.

Our spiritual life is the same. 'Has' is not referring to physical belongings, but rather our relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Do we participate in that relationship continually through out our day, or are we a once a week, once a year or just when all hell breaks loose kind of person?

'Has' is relative to how much of the God relationship we pull into ourselves. I recently read this, "Is the seed planted deep?" It made me stop and wonder, because you and I can be going through the same things, but our response can be so different based on where God's seed of love is planted in our hearts. There are people in my life going through extremely difficult situations right now (aren't we all!!!), and even those who claim not to be religious are demonstrating God working through them. They are the 'have' group.

Then there are the 'have nots'. We all know them and see them. No hope, every suggestion is met with 'why they can't'. We have a lady who walks through our neighborhood talking to herself and her dog about every possible thing that could be wrong, 'rocks on the sidewalk, overgrown shrubs, your hose is in the way because you are washing your car...'. My husband and I chuckle because it is obvious she hates everyone and every thing. Then one day my husband is working on our front yard and she stops and says, "Your beautiful yard has inspired me." And that is how we are all at the same place. For a brief moment she became a 'have' with God moving lovingly through her heart.

Our parish priest was speaking on Judas and Peter several Easters ago and reminded us that both had sinned against God, and that in point of fact, Peter had committed the greater sin. It was their approach to their sin that mattered. One came humbly before God repenting and asking forgiveness. The other couldn't let go and ask for forgiveness and help. We forget that sometimes it is our forgiving actions toward others that enables them to seek and share kindness and forgiveness themselves. So, how can you be the gentle movement of God through someone's heart today?