the essence of our creation

O SON OF BEING!

With the hands of power I made thee

and with the fingers of strength
I created thee;

and within thee have I placed
the essence of My light.

Be thou content with it
and seek naught else,

for My work is perfect
and My command is binding.

Question it not, nor have a doubt thereof.

(Baha'u'llah, The Arabic Hidden Words, #12)

when we talk with our children about what these words of Baha'u'llah mean, they begin to fill with a sense of wonderment about being molded with the 'hands' of God and are focused on the might of God.

we use the analogy of a lamp or candle to describe how the 'essence' of who and what we are is of God -- it is our soul.. our soul is our light.. our light is the light of God.. the virtues or spiritual powers and qualities of God are God's light shining through us.

the lamp and candle can look like any design or color, but what matters is the light that they bring forth.  the purpose of the lamp or candle is to bring light. this, too, is our purpose.  we can reflect the light of God by developing and utilizing the virtues of God in our every day life.  we know that tests and difficulties are woven into the fabric of life; practicing our spiritual powers enables us grow through these challenges and bring us nearer to God as a soul.  it is this light or these powers which we bring with us to the realms beyond..

another beautiful and powerful aspect of this Hidden Word to reflect on is to be content with how God created us and to not doubt or question our creation.  how powerful to grow up with these concepts internalized and fully believed and embraced in the hearts of all childre.  they instill a deep-rooted spiritual foundation for one's individuality -- in the sight of God we know and feel perfect.  we trust it.  we feel peaceful and able to honor ourselves.  growing in this way leaves no room for complaint, discontent, or self-contempt.  there is no wishing to be different in this or that way..

i am striving to help my children see themselves as beautiful and perfect in the sight of God just as each flower has its own particular beauty in the garden.  true beauty is the light that shines through us.  as Baha'i parents, we are raising our children to recognize their uniqueness and nobility as a soul -- created and molded to add to the progress of civilization in a way that no one else can or will.  this is how we look upon everyone, no matter what they believe or how they live.  we help them to see the beauty of humanity as a reflection of God's beauty, majesty and glory.

as we believe that all human beings are inherently noble, we are striving to help them bring forth all of the spiritual capacity that is within them, just as the light of a lamp is hidden until effort is put forth to shine the light.

"O Son of Being!  Thou art My lamp and My light is in thee.  Get thou from it thy radiance and seek none other than Me, for I have created thee rich and have bountifully shed My favor upon thee."

~ Baha'u'llah

Ayana, Dyami and Domani Douglas