We have all heard the quote that God loves laughter, and Abdu’l’-Baha said
“It is good to laugh. Laughter is spiritual relaxation.”
There is a beloved member of our community who always lives by this precept. His conversations will often start with
“Say, did you hear the one about……”
And a joke with laughter is sure to follow.
Most conversations with Norm include a story or observation about teaching. Abdu’l-Baha tells us that teaching is to be the “dominating passion of our life” and for Norm teaching is as natural as breathing. His most recent teaching experience occurred in Yakima and is an example of Norm taking every opportunity to share something about the Faith.
A couple of months ago the YWCA had an event at a small park in downtown Yakima regarding racism. Norm attended and wore his bright yellow One Planet One People Please shirt in hopes that it would encourage conversation. Because he was early, Norm went to a local coffee shop/bakery to wait till the gathering started. Norm was sitting at a table and struggling a bit trying to open a container when someone asked if they could help. As Norm would say, one thing led to another, and before you know it he was telling the young couple who offered to help about the logo on his shirt and how it related to the Faith. They were extremely interested and a warm conversation ensued. This couple lived in Washington DC and she just accepted a job at White Swan School as an art teacher! They were in the process of relocating and gave Norm their phone number and encouraged him to call them when they were settled.
The couple departed, and when Norm was at the event the couple joined him. They knew nothing about the event on racism prior to the chance encounter with Norm, but they were interested in both the event and hearing more about the Faith!
Norm plans on calling them in August and how wonderful it would be if we could make a home visit with them.
We are so blessed to be living in these exciting times!
“…There is no time to lose. There is no room left for vacillation. Multitudes hunger for the Bread of Life. The stage is set. The firm and irrevocable Promise is given. God’s own Plan has been set in motion. It is gathering momentum with every passing day. The powers of heaven and earth mysteriously assist in its execution. Such an opportunity is irreplaceable. Let the doubter arise and himself verify the truth of such assertions. To try, to persevere, is to insure ultimate and complete victory.”
(From a letter dated January 28, 1939 to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada; Messages to America, 1932-1946, p. 17)
