January 09-A, 2023

**Hemlock Islands 01-B 10/14/2009 Oil Paint Rendered — Penobscot Bay, Deer Isle, Maine**

I don't care what you believe.
When people ask me if I believe in God,
I ask them if they believe in gravity
and continental drift.

It doesn't matter what we believe
about all three,
or if we believe anything.

That Which Has Always Been Called "God," 
gravity and continental drift
get along quiet well
regardless of whether anyone believes in them.

I care about what we know
and what we do about it.
We know what's what with diet and exercise.
What do we do about it?

I know what's what
with emptiness, stillness and silence.
What do I do about it?

We all know more than we know that we know.
What are we doing to know what we know?
And to do what needs to be done about it?

What we know and what we do
matter every day--
in each situation as it arises.

It is crucial that we know what's what
and do what needs to be done about it,
in response to it--
without judgment, opinion, expectation,
plans or agendas.
Just seeing. Just knowing. Just doing.
Moment by moment.

That's important.
That's the most important thing.

–0–

Published by jimwdollar

I'm retired, and still finding my way--but now, I don't have to pretend that I know what I'm doing. I retired after 40.5 years as a minister in the Presbyterian Church USA, serving churches in Louisiana, Mississippi and North Carolina. I graduated from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, in Austin, Texas, and Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. My wife, Judy, and I have three daughters and five granddaughters within about twenty minutes from where we live--and are enjoying our retirement as much as we have ever enjoyed anything. View more posts