Wisdom of the Week –  How the River Flows

Illustration taken from ‘The Angel Book of Hours’ by Lucian Eyers.

 © Lucian Eyers 2010.

I was on a crowded tube last Friday when a homeless young man holding a crutch, appealed to passengers for money. He explained that he wanted to have a bath and had not eaten for a while and although many passengers were in a jubilant Friday mood – no one offered to help him. Just as he was approaching me, the man muttered, “ I hope none of you are ever homeless.”

I gave him the small bit of change I had and he thanked me. As he continued down the carriage, I heard my Guardian Angel who is called Samuel, speak to me. He said quite rightly, “Don’t judge these people – you know better.”

What Samuel meant was that I understood how the Universe works. This is the process of manifesting abundance in our lives which comes from giving and not from holding on to what we have, or from taking more than we need.

As the train stopped at Holborn I pushed through the crowds and touched the young man on the shoulder. I said, “I’m sorry, I should have given you this”. I then handed him a five pound note. He was clearly grateful but it was at that point, I understood what he had given to me – I had found the heart of God, which is the joy of giving.

Samuel told me afterwards, “Abundance is like a great river. If the river is allowed to move freely and reach every destination, the river and all living in it – will remain healthy and strong. But if the water is prevented from flowing and collects in dark pools, the water becomes stagnant and all within it will die.”

On that Friday morning I had to find money for an urgent expense. I went to a friend for whom I was completing a job and asked him for an advance payment. He agreed. Thus, I was able to pay my bill and give something to this young man. That is how the river flows.

The picture you see above is one of my illustrations from my forthcoming book, ‘The Angel Book of Hours’, which continues this theme. One of my poems from the book to accompany the picture above, may help you decide how you can embrace charity in your own life.

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A young man asked for money,

But she carried on her way.

“I normally give, so please forgive,

For passing you today.

I’ve many debts myself,” she said,

“That span a dozen noughts.

Besides my arm is aching

With the shopping I have bought.”

“So close you were to helping,

Must you listen to your doubts.

For never has your Father,

Left you empty or without.”

“The man was very young,” she said,

“I’m sure he’ll make a living.”

“Is this the answer you expect,

When asking for some giving?”

 

“You make me feel so bad,

We have a choice and that was mine.”

“You’re very close, so make your choice,

While you still have the time.”

“I’m very close to what?” she said,

“Please help me understand?”

And then into her little bag,

She placed her nervous hand.

The boy was clearly happy,

And he thanked her very much.

But as she wandered on her way,

The girl was deeply touched.

Her eyes began to well with tears,

Her heart began to throb.

She asked just what was happening,

“You made it close to God.

It’s easier to give,

When you have treasure in your chest.

But giving when you’ve little,

Is the sort God loves the best.”

Poem and illustration taken from ‘The Angel Book of Hours’ by Lucian Eyers.
 © Lucian Eyers 2010