When I began this writing it was the 5th of Tevet, 5779 according to the Hebrew calendar and December 12, 2018 according to the Gregorian calendar.

Sometimes I have found I am able to get a better grasp on something when I come to it from an unfamiliar angle. Sometimes I have to walk away to see a thing in front of me.

In hope to hold days, some time ago and with the help of teachers, I began to count days in a way that was beyond me, by the lunisolar year of the Biblical calendar. I did the same with the Hebrew Tanakh, more often called the Old Testament, I wanted to hear and see the words not only in English but also in Hebrew. It’s been a slow and long journey learning a new language, but I can still remember the first step. It was meaningful and so I kept taking the next step because it only became more meaningful, every step further away, becoming a new step closer.

שיר השירים אשר לשלמה

The above reads, Shir hashirim asher le Shlomo, “The song of songs, which is Solomons.” from Song of Songs 1:1.

It’s a short line and it keeps occurring to me lately how I want to minimize every short or small part of life to be even more minuscule than it already is. To stand in the tension of allowing a thing—a day, a moment, a word, a detail—to be what. it. is. small…but here now, can make it also large, significant, worthy to be with, to be present to, to nurture, to look in the eyes of, to stop for.

In my productive and busy mind, “The song of songs, which is Solomon’s”, did not at first seem worthy to be its own verse. Where is the rest of it, I wondered? But when my ears first heard only its beginnings in Hebrew, Shir HaShirim, (pronounced: sheer hasheereem) my attention was captivated. It became lovely in its own right. Then I realized that is the gift.

What is a day, a moment, a word, a detail, a singular person, thought, action? What if I permitted it weight in my mind, see it for what it is, rather than my own estimation? What if I look at it through another’s eyes, to see it new through my own—another step away in order to come nearer?

We need meaning. Us, the ones quick to move through our days, our precious moments, searching for meaning, while all at the same time missing what stands before us.

What would happen if we started here, simply knowing the small matters? I matter, you matter, this moment matters. What if we released old darlings, what we know that we could only ever hold with one hand, in order to fully take hold, with two hands, now—reality that is sweet and good, but that we could never know without the action of letting go?

 

Holding things with one hand lends the illusion of greater ability, wider reach. But a singular thing treasured, known, seen and recognized with two hands is a truer world at our fingertips. Hold loosely, hold faithfully, for the significance we hold with imbues much worth.

Sometimes I have found I am able to get a better grasp on something when I come to it from an unfamiliar angle. Sometimes I have to walk away to see a thing in front of me.

Today is the completion of the first week of the first Biblical month of Nissan, 5779 according to the Hebrew calendar and April 12, 2018 according to the Gregorian calendar. Four months since I began this post and let it sit awhile in my drafts folder. What have I learned as I attempted to more gently practice these words rather than simply write them?

Love is patient, even though sometimes that looks like a long fight in the same direction.

May you know the Eternal One’s blessing and keeping, may You know Heaven’s smile upon you, and graciousness toward you. May you know the wholeness imbued upon you by Your Maker the day you were formed.

Raynna

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