The Gift of Thyme

There are these two guys we know called Ivor Mosquito and Ivan Itch who are always buzzing around our house. Sometimes they are welcome, especially just before Christmas when my wife and I were in the garden and Ivor came to deliver our presents; and sometimes they're unwelcome when it is at an inappropriate time when my wife and I are in the bedroom.

I'll never learn how to make the bed and how to fold the sheets neatly in the corners as they do in hotels.

In them times they also used to leave a piece of chocolate on the pillow in hotels. I never knew why. It often melted in the night ... the number of times I had to explain to the maids who came to clean the room that it was chocolate on the pillow cases and the sheets!

Anyway, where was I before you interrupted me?

Oh yes ... Ivor Mosquito came and he gave me my present. It was a box of different herbs to plant in the garden. You know, mint, basil, rosemary, oregano; that sort of thing. I went quickly in my corner of the garden and planted them all. I always plant my herbs in alphabetical order. Ivor was amazed. He said, "where do you find the time?" I replied, "it's there next to the parsley, rosemary and sage ..."

Time is a precious commodity, you know. We often don't have time to spare for the more important things in life. Like sparing a moment or two for someone else. Smiling at a stranger perhaps. Saying "hi" to the neighbour as we go in or out of our house.

I know people who spend a lot of time helping others. Visiting the sick in hospital. Working voluntarily in church. Buying and preparing soup and sandwiches and going to feed the homeless late at night in town. They even take items of clothing like hats, gloves and other garments to help the poor keep out the cold. They also volunteer to visit old folks at home and drive them to doctor's and hospital appointments. I respect people who spend their time like that.

There are so many ways we can spend our time helping others.

Do you know that even spending time writing your Blog is helping others who visit you and are cheered by what you write? They also get an extra cheer when you visit them and leave a comment on their posts. Whatever you write ... about herbs perhaps, or plants, or cars or pets, or about Jesus too; you can rest assured someone will appreciate the time it took you to write it.

Now back to my herbs ... lettuce pray!

 

Lettuce Pray

 

The priest in church said, "Lettuce Pray!"

I looked round at the people around me. They all looked stern and serious and somewhat sad looking. Some looking down, some eyes closed, some staring ahead into space. I wondered what was going on in their minds. 

No doubt God's computer was being overloaded with e-mails all asking for various favours all at once and all wanting to be served first. Some I would guess advising God on what He should do; and helping Him in solving their problems. 

It's amazing how many people are willing to serve God in an advisory capacity.

Instead of praying, as the priest suggested, I recalled how attitudes and feelings have changed over the years. I remember years ago peoples' faces were brighter, more shiny, more positive, more hopeful perhaps. After Mass they used to congregate outside church in the car park and yakety yak yakety yak for at least half-an-hour until they dispersed and went home. This does not seem to happen any more.

Is it my imagination, or are Christians not so happy these days? Not just Christians, I guess it is people in general. I look at them in the streets, on the bus or train, at work even; and they all seem to be carrying a load on their backs that is grinding them down to oblivion. 

Maybe the priest should have said, "Let us worry!" That would be more appropriate.

Worry is good for you.

Worry causes stress and illness and makes us unable to fight disease.

Worry is contagious and it makes others feel miserable and worrying too.

Worry gets us nowhere but it keeps our mind numb and unable to think straight.

Worry is an insult to God because it implies that we do not trust Him enough to help us, or care for us, or love us.

Worry is a sin!!!

I wonder how many people realise that? Worry is a sin!!!

So ... which one will it be? Lettuce Pray or Let us worry?