Remember that the person who plants few seeds will have a small crop; the one who plants many seeds will have a large crop.
-II Corinthians 9.6 (GNT)
* * *
Some people feel the rain, others just get wet.
-Bob Marley
I almost sent a quote - see above - to an acquaintance. I thought it would resonate with her. I was not, however, confident she would appreciate it, Bob Marley - late well-known Rastafarian - being the source, and she being a devout Christian. I sent it to her a couple of days later, along with other information. I told her why I sent it, the words affirming her way of life. She replied to the mailing but without mentioning it. Possibly she appreciated it. Possibly not. Finally, it does not matter. Why?
One reason it does not matter is when we act in loving generosity, no matter how the other responds - even if it is a nonresponse, which is a response - we should not regret the giving. Sometimes our generosity is a challenge to another person's capability to receive. The gift puts the person in a position to ask, "Why do I have such difficulty receiving this?" Of course, sometimes, people might not respond to our offering, though they did receive it with gratitude.
Giving and taking your hands off the gift is essential in giving. Your benevolence is love reaching out to bless - do not personalize it. Sometimes people will appreciate your gift and say so. Good. Sometimes not. Okay.
Another reason sending the Bob Marley quote to my Christian acquaintance need not concern me is - the truth is the truth. A truth spoken by Bob Marley is as valid as any Jesus, Buddha, you, or anyone has said. Truth does not rely on the means through which it presents itself.
*Use of photography is allowed accompanied by credit given to Brian K. Wilcox and title and place of photograph.
*Brian's book, An Ache for Union: Poems on Oneness with God through Love, can be ordered through major online booksellers or the publisher AuthorHouse.
