Take No Thought

Posted on May 21, 2007
Filed Under Spirituality, Life, Love, Fear, Trusting God, Goals |

This was an awesome weekend! It began with a massage Saturday afternoon that was everything a massage should be; relaxing, healing, releasing and all that good stuff. My husband had one too; his was so delightful he fell asleep. I suggested to him that falling asleep means the massage really worked, he disagreed saying “it means I missed it.” Perspective wins every time. Saturday evening we attending a forum, just walking distance from our home, titled Black on Black Love. There were several couples and singles in attendance. Some had been married 40 plus years, others, like my husband and I, were relatively new at this marriage thing. There were also singles looking for relationships and those content with their status. There were in 25 people in all listening and offering experiences and opinions about love, life and relationships as it pertains to the African American plight in the good ole USA. I loved it: debate, conversation, testimony – my kinda evening. I found it a wonderful way to build community and bridge perceived generational gaps. It was also a great way to discover what the opposite sex is thinking about relationships and life.

Sunday we all slept in. It was noon when we decided we’d had enough laying and lounging around. My husband and I began preparing for our Sunday date. Before Zion was born, we decided our relationship would be the center of our family and we do our best to protect our time. We agreed it would be wonderful for our children, however many may come, to see a good, working and loving relationship. So, we give it what it needs. We dropped Zion at his Grandma’s and headed off to a Jazz concert at our church. Nikki Harris rocked the church house. We arrived a few minutes late, thinking CP (colored people) time would be in affect; turns out we were the only coloreds in the house. Having to sit in the back I noticed most of the attendees where senior citizens and boy were they having a fabulous time. After about four songs, I turned to Lee saying “Nikki sure sounds great, and not one of these songs is familiar to me.” Looking around I noticed most of the audience was singing along with many of the songs. When it was over I counted two songs I was familiar with, I was very tickled. None the less, Nikki was great and we had a wonderful time.

So that was my awesome weekend. I started this Monday morning with a nice prayerful walk. With each step I hear – take no thought for your life. Okay, my interest is sincerely sparked. This offering has taken hold of me, probably because my life is in such great flux, and maybe also because I desire a deeper spiritual experience, a more intimate walk with God. I’m taking the opportunity to delve inside my soul and discover what taking no thought for my life means for me spiritually, mentally and physically.

In a world were materialism reigns supreme and capitalism is the most popular spiritual practice (ha ha), how can I truly take no thought for my life? I’m asking God my sincere heart felt questions so this thing of “taking no thought” can begin to live for me and in me. Take this fabulous weekend I had. I didn’t know it was going to turn out so wonderful, interesting and fulfilling. I simply spent the time doing what was next to do. I was present in the moment enjoying myself, my family and my surrounding. Now looking back it was great. Not much of it was planned and I didn’t worry about any of it. Acting on Divine inspiration I did as I was urged and it was perfect. I forgot to mention I also cooked my first pot of vegetarian chili, which my husband said was pretty good. This all brings me back to – take no thought for your life. Scripture says “look to the lilies of the field.” I get this but I’m no lily, not in the slightest bit, but I’m willing to learn- to practice- to change even.

I’m not certain where this line of thinking is going to lead me, but in this moment I believe this is a high calling. At least for the little girl from Watts who worried about everything. I’ve spent years worrying about my well-being, my success, my relationships, my life, my career, my marriage, and so on….. I believe that I can begin using this energy for something different, something that will serve my life and the lives of others. I do understand that worrying never made one thing happen better, bigger, faster or easier. I also believe God is my source and supply in all things. I guess I haven’t owned these things yet. They’re just swimming in my head with all the other list of things to accomplish.

I’d like to live my entire life like this past weekend. Doing things I love, things that bring joy, things that inspire change and community, things that encourage love and goodness. And none of this includes worry or anxiety. This weekend was easy and sweet. I’m committing to at least stay in the question of what is this thing- this taking no thought. How can I live it, breath it, be it? What does it look like, taste like, feel like? How does it sound? And I welcome any and all ideas, experiences, thoughts and suggestions on the topic. Please take time to share any thing you have to offer, we can all use the support. Ok, I’ll speak for myself – I’m interest in what you have to say.

Matthew 6:25-30
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

Peace and Blessings,

Monique Ruffin