How poor are they who have not patience! What wound did ever heal but by degrees.
WilliamShakespeare
Do you ever feel like growing our membership is like watching the first seeds in the garden sprout ? Those tiny shoots poke their tender green heads through the soil, and that extremely adorable Carolina Chickadee that lives in the corner fence post eats about 2/3s of them.
Oops, ‘scuse me.. my train of thought derailed for a moment. But isn’t she just precious? I really can’t begrudge her need for a bite of food.. I love spinach too, and she’s really good garden company.
Just like those teensy baby spinach plants and replants, Lodge growth is an exercise in perseverance and trust.
Sometimes I feel so discouraged.. seems like it’s one step forward and three steps back. But when I take a deep breath and look at the big picture, I remember we can’t grow overnight. What we can do is nurture our membership so even if they do have to step away for a bit, they know they are loved and missed!
Friendship Love and Truth all require us to display the utmost in patience.. to love and accept people where they are in life.
It’s not always the right time for someone to be an active member, often life’s demands overshadow our desire to participate in all kinds of fun stuff..just like that little bird claims about 2/3s of my seeds, it seems about that same number are going to dwindle away from Odd Fellowship.
We must always be understanding when the complications of life pull people away. We must always welcome them back.
In Friendship, Love & Truth,
Nancy Weaver
Ancient Links 