day six

“Only when the lamp of search, of earnest striving, of longing desire, of passionate devotion, of fervid love, of rapture, and ecstasy, is kindled within the seeker’s heart, and the breeze of His loving-kindness is wafted upon his soul, will the darkness of error be dispelled, the mists of doubts and misgivings be dissipated, and the lights of knowledge and certitude envelop his being. At that hour will the Mystic Herald, bearing the joyful tidings of the Spirit, shine forth from the City of God resplendent as the morn, and, through the trumpet-blast of knowledge, will awaken the heart, the soul, and the spirit from the slumber of heedlessness. Then will the manifold favors and outpouring grace of the holy and everlasting Spirit confer such new life upon the seeker that he will find himself endowed with a new eye, a new ear, a new heart, and a new mind. He will contemplate the manifest signs of the universe, and will penetrate the hidden mysteries of the soul. Gazing with the eye of God, he will perceive within every atom a door that leadeth him to the stations of absolute certitude. He will discover in all things the mysteries of Divine Revelation, and the evidences of an everlasting Manifestation.”

Bahá’u’lláh

amy: i could hear seagulls this morning when I woke up. i felt an incredible longing for waves, the smell of the ocean, the bright light, sand between my toes. so i fingered some shells and corals i picked up last time i was by the ocean.

sholeh: a thunderstorm was raging in the early morning as we awoke to eat breakfast, and it made the world cleaner, although the gray skies were not exactly cheerful.  after a long day, i made my way over to the House of Worship, which was glowing softly in the mists, the remnants of the storm, and i said a quick prayer before going to dinner with a group of dear friends.

leila: this morning i woke up with a migraine—to remind me of my usual health?—and i wasn’t able to take a photo.  i’m using one i took yesterday morning instead.  the whole day has felt like it’s been a wash, with me sleeping off the headache and nausea, and not spending time together as a family.  but this evening, saying prayers together before shaun broke the Fast and our daughter gurgling between us, redeemed it, healed it.  and then it snowed!