[Faith-talk] Good Night Message for Saturday, January 26, 2013

[Paul]

Well, another week here in North America has almost come and gone, whereas you in Australia and New Zealand are already in your Lord's Day.  As this is being written our Aussie members are either in church or about to leave, whereas you in New Zealand are hopefully enjoying a pleasant Sunday afternoon.  In Europe it's very early Sunday morning, but we in the Americas are still in our Saturdays.  Whatever time of day it is in your locale, I hope that your day is going well or went well.

Steven Thompson, a writer from Iowa, wrote a very interesting article that I'd like to share with you today.  Entitled "The Picking Principle," it is rendered as follows:

It seemed hardly worth the effort, when I only spotted three ripe black raspberries.  The early birds had gotten the berries on this sunny morning, leaving me with little to pick.  Still there were three berries, and I decided to harvest what the birds had left.

Approaching the thorny bushes, I carefully maneuvered to pick the three berries.  As I moved the foliage, another cluster of hidden berries appeared.  As I moved the leaves to gather that cluster, more berries appeared in the undergrowth.

I soon discovered that my three berries had multiplied several times.  Each time I gathered another cluster of ripened berries, more clusters would appear.  Eventually I headed back to my house with nearly a quart of black raspberries, enough to accompany several bowls of ice cream in the coming months.  Of course, I would never have the berries had I not taken the effort to cash in on a very small opportunity of picking only three berries.

The "Picking Principle" came into my life many years ago as a gardener.  I discovered, when harvesting a crop, one always needed to take advantage of the smallest opportunities, because there usually was more hidden produce that never appeared until one ventured to pick the visible produce.  Prior to realizing this principle, I often lost produce in the garden because I only looked in accordance with what I could see.  Thus, produce hidden by the foliage often went unharvested and rotted.  Since those early losses, I've found it's best to examine plants closer as harvest time approaches because oftentimes the best produce is hidden.  I found, too, that this principle has applications outside of gardening.

This past winter I found myself being laid off.  The first couple of months I sat around the house hoping that I might be called back to work.  One day I was offered the opportunity to work part time for a small business.  At first glance, there were several problems:  taking the job required a 60-mile, round-trip commute and expenses, my take-home pay would amount to about $60 for several days' labor.

While others felt my venture into the part-time job was a waste of time, I looked past the obvious, and watched as I picked up the hidden benefits.  I soon found myself losing some of the weight I had picked up sitting around.  I felt better physically and mentally.  I gained some new skills, and the job brought structure back into my life by having to be at work on time.

Five-and-a-half months into my unemployment, I discovered the biggest benefit when I was called back to my regular job.  My part-time work had helped me maintain my physical stamina, which helped me readjust to my physically demanding full-time job.  Like berry picking, I again realized small and insignificant opportunities led to something far more beneficial.

The "Picking Principle" was introduced to me through gardening, but I found it benefits me in every aspect of life.  The Bible points to this truth where it says if we are faithful in the smaller things in life, we will be given larger opportunities.

I personally hope that this article will stimulate discussion on the various email lists that receive it, as well as individuals who receive the same.  We can also equate the picking principle to friendship.  A person who seemingly knows nothing and perhaps doesn't have the level of education that we have probably has a store of wisdom in his/her mind that they would be willing to share, if only we give them the opportunity and encouragement to do so.  This has been my watchword in working with senior citizens, some of whom, though marginalized and rejected by family, church and society, are some of the most delightful people that I've ever met.

And now may the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob just keep us safe, individually and collectively, throughout this night or day and especially in these last days in which we live.  Your Christian friend and brother, Paul