She is Here! ここにいる！

At the Konkōkyō Missionary Women's Society「金光教布教する女性の会」meeting this past weekend, I was invited to attend the Aloha Gathering. What fun and talent I got to see!! Our female ministers are so talented!!

The ministers from the North American Diocese (NAD) did a skit about an event that occurred at last year's Missionary Women's Society gathering for North American ministers in Whittier. Before doing the skit, the Reverend Michie Uzunoe (Portland)「ポートランド教会の埋ノ江道江先生」 in a loud voice shouted, "Todd! Todd!! Hold this sign." I said, "Ok." I went over and the sign read, 「おはか」[Grave]. I was like, "I'm a dead person? Oh my!! What dead person?"

Rev. Joanne Tolosa (San Francisco) 「サンフランシスコ教会のトロサ・ジョアン先生」began the skit by narrating what was taking place. She shared that at the event last year, they wanted to visit the grave of the late Reverend Sadako Takeda (Gardena)「ガーデナ教会の故武田貞子先生」. That's when it my eyes bulged, I was shocked and at the same time felt so grateful! I said absolutely nothing until the end of the skit.

After all was said and done, I asked Michie Sensei, "Why did you ask me to hold the sign?" She responded, "I don't know. It just came out of my mouth. Why?"

I responded (with onlookers and listeners), "I was wondering why you chose me because I know Takeda Sensei is here with us right now and has been with you since the start. And the reason for that is, Reverend Takeda and I share the same birthdate." Everyone was shocked. Both Reverends Uzunoe and Wakiko Igawa (Whittier-Rose Hill) 「ウィティア・薔薇ヶ岡教会の井川和喜子先生」looked at each other and then me. Both said, "She's here. Takeda Sensei wanted to let us know she is here."

As Rev. Igawa stated right after, "That wasn't a coincidence. Sadako Sensei knew Todd well. How grateful to have confirmation that she is here with us." 

Praying for us Whole Heartedly（一心に願え）

The Tenchi Kakitsuke (Divine Reminder) is fascinating as it contains a powerful message about God's love and desire for all of us.  It is the cornerstone teaching of our faith.  

This evening (at our monthly study group session), the Reverend Reiko Yano shared with us another interpretation of one aspect of the Tenchi Kakitsuke: Tenchi Kane no Kami isshin ni negae (天地金乃神一心に願え).  What she had to share almost brought me to tears.  It shattered a wall that was covering my heart and I felt as if light was being let into my heart. 

For years, I have recited the Tenchi Kakitsuke with my understanding of it.  My understanding was molded by so many ministers who have showered me with their love; books that I have read; and the actions of ministers and believers.  I must be honest that when the new translation of it came out, I was and still am not thrilled with the translation.  But hey, that is just me.  So, I have carried my understanding of it until this day, when Rev. Yano shook the foundation of my faith.  

When she shared her interpretation of the power and beauty of that one line--Tenchi Kane no Kami isshin ni negate--I was struck.  I held back my tears.  What she shared validated a core belief I have in Konkōkyō: Love is the foundation of faith.  

"SO WHAT IS IT ALREADY????"  

Ok, ok.  I hear y'all.  Reiko Sensei said, 

"That one line is very powerful, because Kami Sama is praying for us whole heartedly."

As simple as that translation may be, it struck my core.  I have always believed that God desperately wants a relationship with all of us.  But . . . .

• we make excuses not to pray,
• people turn to logic to figure out the favors of God,
• people constantly do what they can to diminish God's almighty power,

And even amongst all of that, God still prays for us.

I remember once the Reverend Takao Kishii taught that it is almost silly to think that Kami Sama would pray for humanity, when it is we who should be praying to Parent God.  So why then would a god who is supposed to be almighty pray for us?  Rev. Kishii continued, "Kami Sama is not praying for us though.  Kami Sama is praying to us."  

Although the words "to" and "for" are semantical, both ministers have a point.  

• God prays to us to let us know S/He loves us. (relationship)
• God prays to us to let us know, "ummm, I don't think so." (warning)
• God prays to us to awaken us the ikigami (living deity) with us. (spirituality)

However, the fact of the matter is what other god in the universe is praying for his/her beloved children.  The act of prayer is an act of selfless love. 

As each of us possesses a wake-mitama [soul], we are linked to God through it.  Through our souls, God talks to us.  Awakens us.  Warns us.  Inspires us.  Prays for us.  God has a desire for each and every one of us.  As the late Reverend Norikazu Yukawa (San Diego) taught, "God wants us to live our lives to the fullest."  God wants us all to be happy.  

• God wants so badly to have a relationship with us. 
• God wants so badly for us to be receivers of favor and not just blessings.
• God wants so badly for us to grow in faith.

I have been missing the mark since January of this year.  Recently, I have been listening to my soul speak to me, and slowly happiness has been returning into my life.  I have been acknowledging pain, shame, joy, anger, etc. and offering it to my God.  And when those words came out of Rev. Yano's mouth, she shattered that wall that was covering my heart.  I feel the light. 

"Kami Sama is praying for us whole heartedly."

Sugi

I often find myself sitting on the pew at church 

     with my mind wandering.  

Now that could be a result of my adult ADHD, 

     but that would be an excuse to say the least. 

My mind wanders and wanders, 

     but then I realize the wandering slows and I am at peace.

I realize I have nothing to say,

     but thank you.

I should be praying for

     a full time job; the health of my parents, family, and friends'; a love life;

The list is endless,

     but I find myself at a place of peace.

God has calmed my heart down,

     the pitter patter of the day has become a solace much needed.

And so I pray,

     Ikigami Konkō Daijin, Tenchi Kane no Kami thank you.

     Konkō Sama, thank you.

     Mitama Sama, thank you.

Then my head hits the pew in front of me, 

     and I find myself in God's bosom.

As if my mother is stroking my hair to calm me down,

     I begin to just say thank you over and over again. 

And as my eternal mother continues to calm me,

     my eyes shut and the words thank you continue to leave my lips.

As as my eternal mother continues to stroke my hair that clams me, 

     I find myself asleep.

And as any father would do, 

     I feel a shake and I awake (look I made a rhyme).

I look up at the clock,

     and think, "Oh my, how long have I been out?"

However, I look around,

     and everything looks so clear.

And in front of me is my Universal Parent:

     Ikigami Konkō Daijin, Tenchi Kane no Kami. 

I smile.

I say thank you once again.

I stand.

I leave the worship hall feeling renewed;

     my heart at peace with the world.

Home.

"Sugi, come here only to give thanks." (I Ogihara, Sugi 28)