I Called the Service Epiphanies of Living. It Has to Do with Our Being

Called to do something

I called the service Epiphanies of Living. It has to do with our being called in our lives. We get called often, sometimes when we are children, but many of us repress or ignore those stirrings. Sometimes we're told to be more practical, to be ambitious, or seek more conventional routes of success. I think most UUs feel called but we go through various periods, during some of which we lose our sense of calling or are confused.

Does this bring to mind any book or story that would present this idea in a kid-friendly way?

Two stories come to mind.

A Hat for Ivan by Max Lucado "All the grown-ups in Ivan's village wear a hat that shows what they love most. Because Ivan's father is the hatmaker, Ivan gets to watch his father create a hat that is perfect for each person. Ivan wonders what kind of hat he will have. Will he be a musician? A baker? A palace guard? Ivan doesn't need to worry about his future because his father, the hatmaker who loves him most, shows him that there is only one hat-and one life-created just for him." (from Amazon.com) and The Three Questions by Tolstoy which has been rewritten by Jon Muth or you can google the title and Tolstoy and find the original version and do a bit of adapting.

It's about calling and vocation as well as about attitude.

This is a version I wrote, but there are references at the end to other sources.

What Are You Doing?

Long ago during the Middle Ages, a traveler came across an area where a large number of men were working on what appeared to be a large construction project. The traveler was curious about what the workers were doing and he approached one of the workers and asked him what he was doing. The worker replied, ?I come each day, and I am told to turn these rough pieces of rock into regular shapes. The work is boring and hard, but I do what I am told.? The traveler walked on and came to another worker who was also working on pieces of rock. ?What are you doing?? asked the traveler. The worker looked up, wiped his brow and looked glad of a chance to catch his breath. ?I have wife and children at home. I come here each day and am assigned to work on turning this rock into building stones. It?s nothing exciting, but I make enough to feed and clothe my family, so it?s worth the work.? The traveler thanked the man for taking the time to talk with him and walked on until he came upon another worker who appeared to be approaching the same task with great enthusiasm. ?What are you doing?? asked the traveler. The man looked up toward the heavens with shinning eyes and spread his arms wide. ?I?m building a cathedral,? he said. And he picked up his hammer and chisel and began enthusiastically chipping away again at the stone. This story can be found in many places on the Internet and in the book One Hundred Wisdom Stories from Around the World compiled by Margaret Silf under the title Men at Work. In most cases the story is cited as old, with the source unknown. One writer says that he has been convinced that the story comes from the Rule of Saint Benedict. You can find several versions on these Web Sites: _http://www.anecdote.com.au/archives/2008/07/the_stonecutter.html_ (http://www.anecdote.com.au/archives/2008/07/the_stonecutter.html) , _http://qualsys.wordpress.com/2009/04/29/on-vision-and-building-a-cathedral/_ (http://qualsys.wordpress.com/2009/04/29/on-vision-and-building-a-cathedral/ ) , and _http://blog.ragan.com/archives/speechblog/2006/08/building_a_cath.html_ (http://blog.ragan.com/archives/speechblog/2006/08/building_a_cath.html) .

On a foggy autumn day nearly 800 years ago a traveller happened upon a large group of workers adjacent to the River Avon. Despite being tardy for an important rendezvous curiosity convinced the traveller that he should inquire about their work. With a slight detour he moved toward the first of the three tradesmen and said “my dear fellow what is it that you are doing?” The man continued his work and grumbled, “I am cutting stones.” Realising that the mason did not wish to engage in a conversation the traveller moved toward the second of the three and repeated the question. To the traveller’s delight this time the man stopped his work, ever so briefly, and stated that he was a stonecutter. He then added “I came to Salisbury from the north to work but as soon as I earn ten quid I will return home.” The traveller thanked the second mason, wished him a safe journey home and began to head to the third of the trio.

When he reached the third worker he once again asked the original question. This time the worker paused, glanced at the traveller until they made eye contact and then looked skyward drawing the traveller’s eyes upward. The third mason replied, “I am a mason and I am building a cathedral.” He continued, “I have journeyed many miles to be part of the team that is constructing this magnificent cathedral. I have spent many months away from my family and I miss them dearly. However, I know how important Salisbury Cathedral will be one day and I know how many people will find sanctuary and solace here. I know this because the Bishop once told me his vision for this great place. He described how people would come from all parts to worship here. He also told that the Cathedral would not be completed in our days but that the future depends on our hard work.” He paused and then said, “So I am prepared to be away from my family because I know it is the right thing to do. I hope that one day my son will continue in my footsteps and perhaps even his son if need be.”

Girard J.P. and Lambert S (2007) “The Story of Knowledge: Writing Stories that Guide Organisations into the Future” The Electronic Journal of Knowledge Management Volume 5 Issue 2, pp 161-172. There is a terrific book called The Curious Garden by Peter Brown that might be just what you are looking for. Here's the description:

One day, a curious boy named Liam is out exploring his drab, gray city when he comes across a struggling garden. He decides to help the plants grow, never imagining what he is starting. As time passes, the garden takes on a life of its own and spreads across the city, changing everything in its path. Bit by bit, the city is transformed, becoming a lush, green world.

The Curious Garden is a magical story about a boy's dream and how the efforts of one small person can help change the world.

Suggested as a read-aloud for ages 4 and up; as a read-alone for ages 8 and up.

If you click on the title above, you see what the book looks like.

The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf