The Web Of Connection
My daughter who writes
just published her first book called Finding Joy, which focuses on the teacher/student dynamic as a relationship of mutual care. She writes, “caring is a relationship that contains another, the cared-for, and…the one-caring and cared-for are reciprocally dependent.” She goes on to say that as one engages in this dialogue of care one is sure to find "joy."
Certainly caring is not limited to the teacher-student relationship. We all participate in the exchange of giving care and receiving care. All of us are part of a great web of connection which ranges from the galactic expanse to the tiniest microscopic interaction.
The vibrations of being held together wash across our universe, penetrating our own persons, even as we hold together the relationships that weigh daily in our everyday lives. Yet, to hold and to be held requires trust—you must know that I will never let you go and I must know that you will never release me. Trust is needed for the web of connection to thrive. The sage from Combermere, Ontario encourages us in this direction of pursuing trust:
To open our hearts to trust the untrustworthy, to accept people as they are, to find oneself shortchanged, and in spite of this to trust again—all this is not easy. But that is what we have to do!
Trust again and again and again, as God trusts us. The very act of trusting can make another person a bit more trustworthy than he or she was before.(Catherine Doherty, Poustinia)
To trust the wavering is challenging but not impossible—even as a cedar embracing a boulder is surprising but not inconceivable.
🥰You all blow me away!!!!Last night I was pondering "trust" and " faith" as it relates to the Word and using it in circumstances and relationships. So I thought faith is trust and when there isn't enough just a bit will do and the Spirit do Her thing. Similar to Natalie's book which I hope to buy my dear friend Ron will engage you as if you are the only person of topic. Yet he would break down relationships on levels and how to relate to each one. I thought on Jesus and the levels of relationships. If you believe in me....you are children of God and if you do my commands you are friend. Then He also said to Judas " friend betray me with a kiss". So I must admit we have to trust again and again as I must admit I need that grace of being in relationships and trusting despite it all. 🥰 This is amazing grace!
To hold and be held, like the carer and the care-for -- I’m going to think about these postures today! Thanks for the shout out dad 💛