One bud and many leaves!

 

There is something different that strikes me every time when I walk in our garden. What surprised me yesterday was the single buds amidst many leaves in some rose bushes. 

Is one too little!

It is as if a plant gives out a branch to bear just one bud or a flower! 

Yesterday, one conversation that I was part of, recalled the many things that are to be done in order to move on and to use an opportunity to make an impact. 

I remembered then the conversation between Jesus of Nazareth and Mary, when Jesus visited the home of two sisters, Martha and Mary. When Martha complained about her sister who was not helping her enough to offer hospitality that she thought was appropriate, Jesus had this to say to Martha: ' Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things, but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part which shall not be taken away form her' (Luke 10:41-42).

The emphasis on only one came home to me yesterday with further emphasis when I was driving back home. It began to rain while driving back. Many motor bikers stopped to put on their rain coats. A few did not bother and continued to ride on. Those who stopped to protect themselves from rain and those who did not bother about the rain carry different outlooks. Those who stopped to put on the rain coats seemed to be ready in anticipation of rain. The others seemed less prepared. 

The readiness and preparedness are two sides of the same coin. 

You are ready to face a situation because you have included in the plan, which makes you prepared for what was foreseen!

Only one thing is needed, be ready!

Mary was ready to sit with Jesus and listen to Him (Luke10:39) and Martha was preoccupied by her obligation of hospitality. It is one thing to be ready to listen and yet another thing to be carried away by wanting to do something more than what was required for that context. 

The many things that we engage under our compulsive habit of multi-tasking might not be needed at that time. Only one thing might be needed. It calls for discernment to choose the one

thing. 

It is necessary to be ready for many things, but it is wise to choose just a few or only one to focus on, as that alone might open the door for all other things to come into being or fall in place. 

The rose bush gives a branch with many leaves to give one bud or flower. The plant is never complete with leaves alone. It is a flower that gives a plant its identity. The many activities are like the leaves; the bud or the flower is the significant purpose. 

Not the many thongs that we do are always the most needed activities, it might be just one or two, which would make a difference for ourselves and others. Many things can become stressors, while a few or one focus can be bring the experience of working leisurely and restfully.

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)