“Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand...” Jer. 18:5
A garland of flower or a lei, as it is more commonly known in the Pacific, is made from fresh flowers, leaves, and other foliage. It is usually strung or braided in a circle or wreath, and worn around the neck, head or even the waist.
The significance of the lei all over the Pacific cannot be overstated. In the hot humid climate of the Pacific, it is a form of “air conditioner,” as it cools the body temperature. Important milestones, such as birthdays, weddings, funerals, are all marked by the gifting of leis. And dances and celebrations are not to be had without leis. With leis, kings, royals, chiefs, commoner, the deceased, and God are honored. It is the one of the most defining sign of respect shared widely in love and care within the Pacific.
The beauty of the lei also cannot be overstated. Beauty that is not limited to what the eyes perceive, but includes other senses; fragrance, form and feel. And yet, perhaps one of its most significant traits is its simplicity; a lei is a gift made from the pickings of the fields, the litterings of the earth.
A lei is as beautiful as the pickings of that day. Women and girls would awake early in the morning in order to find the perfect bloom, and pick them in the morning shade. Effort and care are taken to ensure the freshness of the flowers and foliage, and then more care in the stringing, braiding, the making of the lei.
Significantly, the pickings of the field is transformed into a beautiful garland of flower that holds even greater significance when used in so many different settings. A lei, made from the simple littering of the field makes the mundane sacred.
Much like the pickings or the litterings of the field, we are clay, tossed around in the world, often feeling like mere pickings, or even litters. As we prepare for General Conference, the worldwide connection is full of litterings, broken pieces of clay, tossed around and seemingly insignificant. And yet, the Potter is still at work, and continues to pick up the pieces, and remakes, reforms, reshapes the pieces of clay, transforming it into something beautiful. And like a beautiful lei, our lives takes on greater significance and meaning, when we offer it as gift of love and care.
*PINCUM “is a fellowship of Pacific Islanders in The United Methodist Church that confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Savior and seek to fulfill their common calling to the glory of the triune God according to scriptures, tradition, experience and reason.” (By-laws). Presently, the organization includes, Samoan, and Tongans congregations, mostly in the Western Jurisdictions.