Child of the Hands

After the passing of Mr. Varqá i have reflected much on the fact that the Hands of the Cause have left us. i have thought of this day for many years. i was certain that i would see this day after the passing of Mr. Olinga and Dr. Muhajer. They were the two youngest of that body, the latter being my mothers cousin. Aside from the personal loss when those two died i realized that i would most likely outlive the rest of the Hands and indeed that has come to pass.

i have been studying the Bahá'í Covenant regarding succession and the promise of no schisms from Bahá'u'lláh Himself for the past few months. It amazes me how continuously His promise has been fulfilled. The most interesting time was the time between the passing of the Guardian and the election of the Universal House of Justice in that during that time there was no head of the Faith. The Hands of the Cause, true to their responsibility of being Chief Stewards of the Faith, steered the Faith by completing the remaining years of the Guardians Ten Year Crusade culminating in the election of the first Universal House of Justice.

The awareness has come to me that i am a child of those Hands of the Cause in that i was born during that difficult time. i have met many of them and had close interaction with two of them that brought me joy. In many ways i feel left behind and at the same time feel that i need to convey stories about my experiences with these blessed souls. i shook Mr. Varqá's hand and had the bounty to hear him on two occasions on my Pilgrimage last year (May of 2006).
Here is a poem inspired by my meditations.

Child of the Hands

Born at a time
Before the Nine
That would lead us
for all time
After the Pearl
In times of peril
Came to life
Amidst strife

Born beneath the shelter
Protecting all
The Hands of the Cause
Stood tall
Guiding, directing all
At the helm of Faith
To London’s gate
When destiny fulfilled
Evincing faith

Alas their time
Is now past
It was destiny
Not to last
Remaining a child
Of those Hands

Teach the cause
Without pause
With obedience
Overcome impedance
Bringing joy to
Those Hands of the Cause

shiidon, September 2007