The Difference Is a Space

In writing there are times when a blank space determines meaning; it is true in writing, it is true in life.

Consider: We can be a part of a group, or we may be apart from a group. Are we a part or are we apart? Are there times we think we are a part when we are really apart? Whether or not there is a space between the “a” and the “p” makes all the difference.

We may think because we live in close proximity to others that we are a part of others, but then things happen and we realize there was a space between us all the time, a space we didn’t see, a space we didn’t notice – and so the absence of space was an illusion – we were not really a part as we thought, we were instead apart.

My arm is a part of my body, I would notice it if it were gone. My little finger is not a prominent part of my body, though it is quite useful when typing (or keyboarding as I think it is now called), but I assure you that if I should lose it through an accident that it would be missed – my finger that once was a part of my body would be rendered apart from my body.

Yet when people leave churches or ministerial associations or other forms of fellowship it usually is as if they were never there to begin with, for unlike my arm or finger they are seldom missed, or if missed they are not missed for long, and often all communication ceases with no thought of restoration. Contrast this attitude with what my attitude would be toward my little finger should I cut it off when using my chain saw – I should call the EMTs, pack it in ice, and pray that it could be reattached – I would consider the loss of my little finger an emergency. Why is it that we seldom consider the loss of relationships an emergency?  

What would you think of me if having severed my arm in an accident, I had a laissez faire attitude and said, “Oh, it was never really a part of my body”?

The space determines the meaning, are we a part or are we apart? In family? With coworkers? In church?

I am troubled that we can pray with others weekly, worship in song with others, break bread with others, participate in small groups with others; and yet when a member of the body leaves (for whatever reason) it is often as if that member were never a part of the body – there is no recognition that I have lost an arm or a leg or an ear or an internal organ. It is as if our attitude is, “It’s great if we have a nose and two ears, but if we should lose them it will not matter greatly, besides, it’s their loss not to be on our head.”

Wissotzky Tea and a Mug

If you’re the one who gave me a box of Wissotzky Tea – Thank You! I’ve had the box of peach tea for a while, and I don’t mean “months”, it’s been years. I opened the box about a week ago and it is good tea, very good. I’m not keen on fruit-flavored teas because they often do not have much “body”, but this one is a winner.

It is possible that you’re reading this and that you gave me the tea but that it’s been so long that you don’t remember – if you think you gave it to me but aren’t sure – go ahead and take credit…after all the person who did give it to me might not be reading this and so will never know that I said this is very good tea.

This afternoon I brewed the tea in a large mug given to me by a coworker; she was visiting family in Alaska and brought me back an Alaskan-sized mug – actually she brought one mug for Vickie and one for me – pretty nice. The fact that I could fill the mug with water and brew a fine cup of tea says a lot about Wissotzky – most tea bags would not have met the challenge.

As I was enjoying my peach tea it occurred to me that someone had given me the tea and that someone else had given me the mug and that the water came from the ground via a well and pump – I didn’t pay for the water, I didn’t pay for the mug, and I didn’t pay for the tea. There is a lot to be thankful for with this mug of tea.

Speaking of people giving me things, a friend who we had not heard from for quite a while called two or three months ago, she left a voice message with updates but she didn’t leave her phone number. She may have assumed that I was smart enough to save her number on my phone – well, you know about assuming things. If you are the friend how about an email or another phone call? If you are the friend and you are not up for another phone call and don’t have email you can always send us a note along with Wissotzky tea – since I already have peach I’d like to try another flavor.

Yes, I know this post doesn’t seem to be about much, but it is about being thankful for what appears to be a couple of little things, a tea bag and a mug and the people behind them. It is also a little diversion, after all, in a world so messed up a little diversion doesn’t hurt…especially when it is suitable for children.

A Quote to Ponder