"T"ea is for Toby . . .

There is an old buddhist proverb which goes something like this: A haughty young scholar comes to an old zen master looking for instruction. On his first day the scholar pesters his instructor for wisdom, about politics, economics and various other subjects, even going to bait the older man with boasts of his own accomplishments in philosophy, and politics. The Zen master taking it all in stride not answering, only continuing to sip on his tea. Eventually growing frustrated, the scholar gets angry at the Buddhist and demands that he respond.
The old Zen master stretches out his hand and offers the younger man a seat. Handing him a cup he begins to pour tea. Quickly the tea overflows the edge and burns the scholar's finger. Jumping up, he shouts at the old monk, accusing him of overflowing the cup intentionally.
The Zen master, speaking slowly and quietly says, "You are like the teacup. You have not taken time to drink, yet you demand more. Drink first, then refill your cup."

Or something like that...

This is one of my favorite stories. I've heard it told a variety of different ways, but each time it strikes me anew. The nuance and the layers of the allegory remind me that a short story can be just as powerful as a long winded epic.
The metaphor can be applied to so many different areas of life, and even just life in general. It is not a complicated story and not hard to understand, yet it is a reminder to the well educated as well as to the everyday plebeian.
Wisdom comes from a place of humility. It takes time to ruminate, and even if we learn, doing nothing with them wastes the lesson. Knowing that the Bible tells us to be loving does not impart any sort of benefits by itself. But by loving, those benefits manifest themselves. Knowing that prayer is powerful is not the same thing as being a powerful prayer. Knowing that God honors the humble is useless unless we humble ourselves.

It is easy to profess to be a Christian, but living the lifestyle that the Bible proscribes is not. In fact, its incredibly hard. Impossible in fact. But it is not the result which God asks for. He does not demand that we be humble, or loving, or powerful prayers. He demands that we try.

Journal:
Languid, the bright eye hung over the world, her silvery glow watching down on the affairs of men. Always watching, searching for the long lost love, stolen in her youth, near the very dawn of time. 
Bathed his the light of the moon, Taro lifted his face in prayer, taking it as an omen that the moon's face would shine so brightly tonight of all nights. Asking for guidance, before slipping out into the empty street, he set out in search of his own lost love, hoping it was not too late.