Rest and Be Together

Nearly there, but not quite.

For a long time the group were used to getting nearly there but not quite. Just missing out on achieving their desired outcomes. Just missing out on what they had set for themselves. Nearly there, but not quite.

When they explored what could be the reason for this, they were quire stymied. They always put a great deal of effort into every activity and every project. They certainly meant well. As they quizzed themselves they just couldn’t quite put their finger on what left them coming up short time after time.

Finally they asked an external consultant to come and help. When he arrived, he spent a few months in the background observing what they did and how they carried out their tasks. The reason why he was called was because of his knack of insight and wisdom. What was also remarkable about him was his humility. However much the group invited him to take the lead and steer and direct them, he was only too happy to take a back seat, allow them to carry on and even chip in a helpful capacity if they required him to do something. As this was taking place, he had conversations with everyone in the group and got a temperature of the group over the time of the assignments.

Despite his presence and help, as he stayed in the background the group continued to fall short of what they had hoped. After another effort resulted in a near miss, the group expressed how low they felt in what they considered to be frustrating circumstances. Some even questioned whether they would ever be able to reach their given targets.

The consultant arranged for a meal at the local Indian restaurant for the group. He was able to reserve an area where the group could be left alone to enjoy the cuisine, each other’s company, the music and the fact that the consultant was happy to pay for everything, cost not being an issue. Throughout the meal, the lagging spirits of the team picked up. They shared some quality time actually conversing with each other in a relaxed setting, there was no assignment to work for and no planning and strategising to get concerned about. The pressure was off. People got into conversations about a variety of topics which got them finding out about each other in ways they had never experienced before.

As the atmosphere was at its height of fun in conversation, the consultant asked each individual in the group to return to the main table. He then went around the table to each individual offering them a poppadom or a piece of naan bread. He told them not to eat any until each one had a piece. As he finished, he asked them, “When was the last time you as a group had an occasion like this?”

The question startled them all as they realised that for all their busyness and commitment to tasks and activities, something like this had never happened. Sure some of the tasks they set up were dinners, banquets and parties, but in each of those key members of the team had to be on serving duty or catering duty or supervising. To actually stop and enjoy each other’s company was something so rare that it could not be remembered.

As they shared this with each other, the consultant took this in and commented, “Who gave you the food that you have in your hand at the moment? Did you notice that it was something served to you, that for once you didn’t have to be the server? Your heart for service is highly commendable, but perhaps it’s worth from time to time you as a group remembering that your heart to serve is enhanced from taking a few moments out to appreciate and recognise how you are served.”

The group were keenly taking in what he was saying,

“This is my last evening with you. After tonight I’ll be returning to my home. I have every confidence that when you apply the only suggestion I have to make, you will see an upturn in what you desire.”

The group were not expecting this announcement and replied with sorrow at the consultant’s departure, but he continued.

“You’re a really good group of people. So sacrificial and caring for the needs of each other, so supportive of each other as you go from activity to activity. It’s worth you appreciating, however, the value of stopping to be served. Stopping and enjoying each other’s company. Stopping and remembering that before work there is relationship and the ultimate work of relationship is founded in resting and being. When your doing and working flows from your resting and being. When your activity of service is rhythmically informed by the activity of being served together, that can do wonders for your sense of unity and purpose.”

He stopped to let the words sink in. He then picked up his poppadom and had a bite. The group took up the hint and also bit into their naan bread or poppadom. Nobody said anything as they chewed. The looks on their faces ranged from confusion to bemusement. Meanwhile the consultant smiled as he enjoyed his poppadom without saying a word. Once he finished and ensured everyone else had finished, he filled the glasses of those around the table with the drink that each individual preferred. Again he told them not to drink it until everyone had a glass and deliberately left his until last.

“What I love about you,” he began “is how much you’re in this together. I definitely commend you on that. I know you won’t grasp what I mean immediately in what I have been saying, but I’m sure you will as you put it into practice. So I propose a toast. Here’s to the group that learns to just rest and be together, succeeding together.”

He raised his glass, and they raised theirs, did the appropriate cheers and took the swig of the drink. As they placed their glasses on the table there was a loud bang from somewhere else in the room and puff of smoke that took the attention of the group. Noting that it was nothing to be concerned about they turned to listen to more of the consultant only to realise he had disappeared.

After this the group …

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden