George Herbert. . . and Chocolate Soufflés


February 27th is when the Anglican Church remembers the beloved metaphysical poet George Herbert. I first encountered his poetry in high school literature at LCA. I know some of you took the same class, and probably used the same lit book I did. His poem The Pulley has reverberated through the years of my life:

When God at first made man,
Having a glass of blessings standing by,
"Let us," said he, "pour on him all we can;
Let the world's riches, which dispersed lie,
Contract into a span."

So strength first made a way;
Then beauty flow'd, then wisdom, honour, pleasure;
When almost all was out, God made a stay,
Perceiving that alone of all his treasure,
Rest in the bottom lay.

"For if I should," said he,
"Bestow this jewel also on my creature,
He would adore my gifts instead of me,
And rest in Nature, not the God of Nature:
So both should losers be.

"Yet let him keep the rest,
But keep them with repining restlessness;
Let him be rich and weary, that at least,
If goodness lead him not, yet weariness
May toss him to my breast.

Whenever I hit my limits of energy and I'm frustrated with the boundaries of my physical or mental energy, George Herbert echoes through my mind, "If goodness lead him not, yet weariness may toss him to my breast." Herbert teaches me that my weaknesses and limits can be pathways back to God. When I hit the end of my own finite resources (energy, time, money, patience, love), I encounter the reality once again that I am not God. There is only one Infinite Source. My limitations keep me humble and toss me into the arms of God.

Although facing my limitations and knowing God's infinite resources brings peace and freedom to my life, it's still a sobering reality check. I wouldn't say that it fills me with an urge to celebrate. At least not like Chocolate Soufflé Day which is February 28th. I plan to use my set of ramekins to make chocolate soufflés and celebrate the years I've been blessed with on this earth. Yes, February 28th will be my 53rd birthday. Although I'm aware I have more birthdays behind me now than ahead of me, I'm completely at peace with this limit on my time. 

Comments

  1. Beth GrossFebruary 28, 2025 at 3:55 AM

    Happy Birthday! I must have had a different Lit book, or my memory is failing. 🙂 I don’t recall George Herbert or his poetry. Thanks for this introduction. He offers a good perspective.

    ReplyDelete

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