Out Of The Blue

foto: johnscutter.com

How about the story of Beth from Bethsaida, that came to be on this day so long ago and has been forgotten? For only in time is memory erased and replaced by lore. So, tell me a story you ask us? Well, this is a story that I don’t think you’ve heard. Ok, I’m just the narrator – there are many of us here. More than you know, who hear you ask and wonder and ponder each day. So, back to the story.

Beth was only twelve at the time, so for her, in that age, she was approaching womanhood on her next birthday, and life would change in many ways, but for now she was a child and could enjoy all things childish, if looked at through human eyes, and holy and divine if looked at through ours.

One day, out of the blue, on this very day, there came a voice she’d never heard before, and had a hard time understanding at first. Once she was able to not try so hard to strain and comprehend what it was saying, she heard the message being shared with her. And it was clear. It simply said “You are loved.”

Now being somewhat skeptical and knowing only earth in her rational mind, Beth thought it was a game her father was playing on her and began to look around. At first she thought he must be behind the open curtain they used as a door in this room, but he wasn’t there. Then the hallways outside must be where he a hiding, but he wasn’t there either. It was then that the laughter started, and it was a hearty laugh that came from every side of the room, so she sat on the floor puzzled. And the voice came again. This time saying “Believe. Even if you have no reason to do so, or no logic at your side.”

So she went out and told the first friend she ran into what had happened, and he looked at her in disbelief and left to finish his errands. Then she looked down every street to see if maybe there was a source she’d missed. In the market, in the temple, in the group being taught by that rabbi with his many followers, just sitting in a field and offering her a knowing smile but not lingering or stopping the discussion he was having. And finally ending up at the shores of the sea, where flocks of birds swooned overhead and fish jumped at safe distances from the boats trying to find them and, looking up at the sky, the sun shone brightly, bringing glimmering light to the waters in front of her, and everywhere it touched. And she smiled, because she finally understood that nothing had to present itself to prove what she was told, as it was already there for her to simply recognize and appreciate and embrace, and the love of the universe met the love of her heart in bliss and contentment. Although she was still a child and wondered how her father had pulled off this trick.