The Prospect of Failure

Mariam was anxious as she approached a challenge.She asked, "Lord, what if I fail?" The Rabbi answered; "Does it really matter? You are more important to me than any efforts you might achieve. You are more precious to me than water to a man in the desert."
 

 Every person is unique. Every person is cherished. Every person is individually loved by Jesus.

 

Photograph by Rev Catherine

 

Anxious about confrontation

Mariam was anxious about confrontation.

The Rabbi's mother gently said to her, 

"You are confronting yourself."

Mariam asked, "Is this why it's so painful?"

And gracious Maria answered, 

"Change is always painful.

Have faith in dark hours."

Hatred is a powerful force

Mariam was nonplussed at a colleague's powerful negative emotion directed against her.

The Rabbi told her; "Hatred is a powerful force.

It is incomprehensible to those who love.

Be thankful for that."

Photograph by Rev Catherine. For use copyright free for any worthy purpose

Ashamed

Mariam was ashamed. She had hurt someone with a sharp rejoinder.
Mariam said shamefacedly to the Rabbi, "I am so ashamed, Lord. I hurt her."
The Rabbi gently answered, "I will give her grace."

Sometimes we hurt another. Let us pray for them.
And if something we have done has resulted in negative consequences for another, let us show our repentance by doing whatever we prudently can in order to alleviate those consequences.

Troubled Community

Mariam was praying for a troubled community.
She asked the Rabbi, "Lord, what about them?"
The Rabbi kindly answered, "I will pour oil on troubled waters."

Strong Reaction

Mariam was thinking about the strong reaction one person had shown that day.
She said sturdily to the Rabbi, "He's stubborn, Lord."
The Rabbi quietly answered, "He's scared."

Sometimes what we mistake for difficult behaviour may be due to fear or past hurt.

Sign of Hope

Mariam had just been through a time of suffering.
She wept to the Rabbi, "So much suffering, Lord; like a rush of rainwater, drowning me."
The Rabbi gently comforted her, "Remember, the rain washes off the dead branches of sin from your soul; but also waters the new seeds, freshens the pond, and leaves the rainbow in the sky - a sign of hope, that things will not always be like this."