Vol. 25# 2
Rev. Kametaro Nakayama - Kami's Arrangement - A Story of Faith - continued from January
I believe that faith is about entrusting everything to Kami and putting Kami’s teachings into practice in all aspects of our lives.
Today, I would like to share my wish to be able to trust, with peace of mind, that nothing Kami does is in vain nor is an oversight or mistake, in addition to the story that helped with this realization.
In 1933, I was about to get married, but I was worried about the cost of the ceremony. My marriage was reported in the newspaper, and many people offered to congratulate me, but we couldn't afford to expand the ceremony. I was just worried about what to do.
At that time, a believer of the Amagasaki Church said, "It will take six or seven years for all the believers in the country to watch the film about Konko Daijin. Please talk about the contents of the film at least in the Keihanshin (Osaka, Kobe) area." As an expression of gratitude, he gave me 100-yen in an envelope which was more than my monthly salary at the time. So, I prepared the necessary clothes and offered the remaining change to the altar. Strangely enough, the change, combined with the fee I received later, was exactly the same as the wedding expenses.
When my first child was about to be born, my mother advised me “to have the baby delivered in the hospital for safety since he is my first grandchild.” However, I could not prepare for the cost of a hospital birth. Just as I was in a difficult position, I was scheduled to give a lecture in Nagasaki, and the fee I received was exactly the same as the hospital expenses. Again, I felt the power of Kami to provide what is needed.
Furthermore, during the intense air raids and the dangers of travel amidst the war, I experienced many life emergencies. However, each time I was protected and given the strength to live. Although I lost both my hands and a leg, I was able to live to the present day and continue to receive protection as I fulfill Kami’s duties. If I was not needed, I would not be able to survive on my own no matter how much I wanted to, therefore, I would work hard and leave everything to Kami.
Right after the war, my second son suffered from malnutrition. It was a time when rations were scarce, and the rice we had at home ran out. Just as I was preparing myself to have barley porridge starting tomorrow, rice arrived from Niigata that night. It was new rice that a believer who had visited the founder's service had sent to me. By the time the rice ran out, the doctor said my son could eat anything which led to his recovery.
One winter day, I was asked to give a lecture in a village in Okayama Prefecture. I needed to arrive at the location at 9 a.m., but I had to get up at 3 a.m. to catch the right train. Considering the burden on my wife, I chose the 6:30 a.m. semi-express train. However, that train was delayed, and I was unable to make the connection in time.
A train station attendant who stopped me from getting on the train said, “You will not make it,” so I headed to the bus station in despair. Luckily, I was able to get on the 8 a.m. bus which I found out was headed towards Haga. Because the bus was full and could not make stops along the way, I arrived as scheduled and finished my lecture without incident.
Looking back, the delay of the express train and the train station attendant stopping me were all arranged by Kami. Because of these arrangements, I was able to make it to my lecture on time and share my message with many people.
A Faith based on living with joy and gratitude
In this way, Kami always provides what we need, when we need it. Even if we don't realize it at the time, when we look back later, we realize they are all blessings.
I hope to continue to hone my faith so that I can accept the difficulties and inconveniences as blessings that arise in my daily life with joy and gratitude.
To be continued in next issue
Exercises for the Mind/Heart/Spirit |
010 Praying in the restroom |
Do you pray while you are using the restroom? Our bodies cannot survive if excretion is blocked. Excretion is an important blessing that removes toxins from the body. Let us take a moment to express our gratitude in the restroom. |
Konko Church of Gardena and Los Angeles Announcements
Morning Service, Cleanup, Setsubun event and Shinto-kai Meeting
On February 2, morning service will be held from 9:00 a.m. After the prayer, the inside and outside of the church will be cleaned, and then the Setsubun event will be held. Please bring your small children and grandchildren to participate. The origin and meaning of Setsubun are explained below. After the Setsubun event, the Gardena Church congregation meeting will be held. If you are interested, please join us.
What is Setsubun? February 2 is "Setsubun". Setsubun originally meant "dividing the seasons," or in other words, the day when the seasons change, and occurred four times a year, on the day before the beginning of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. However, in Japan, the beginning of spring was especially revered as the beginning of the year, so gradually the word "Setsubun" came to refer only to the spring Setsubun.
The idea behind Setsubun is to ward off evil spirits and pray for good health at the change of seasons. Setsubun originated from an imperial court event called "Oina" that was held in China. It was brought to Japan around the Heian period and was adopted as an imperial court event. It then spread to shrines and temples and among the common people.
Ehomaki is a unique sushi roll eaten on Setsubun. It is longer and larger than the usual sushi rolls you see at sushi restaurants. Generally, the number 7 represents good luck, so it is said that it is good to use seven ingredients such as tuna and eggs. It comes from the fact that there are seven gods called the Seven Lucky kamis!
When eating ehomaki, you eat it facing the direction that is said to bring good luck. This direction changes every year, but in 2025 it is southwest. While eating ehomaki, close your eyes and make a wish. It is said that you should eat the whole roll in one go without stopping.
February Monthly Service
The monthly service will be held on February 9 from 10:00 am. After the service and lunch, there will be a study session on From Farmer to Founder-Biography of Konko Daijin from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Please be sure to bring the book with you if you are attending.
Gardena Church Work Committee Study Group
The GCWC will meet on February 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please contact Rev. Uzunoe if you are interested in joining this group.
Southern California Regional Seminar
The Southern California Regional Seminar will be held on Saturday, February 22 from 10:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Gardena Church. The theme will be on Prayer. Please RSVP to Rev. Uzunoe by February 18. Details will be available at a later time. We look forward to seeing you there.
Thought of the day
When you wake up, you will be filled with joy as this glorious and important day was given to me by Kami. |
Don't be shy with Kami, keep praying until you receive divine blessings. |
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