Crooked disciples...

"An unrespectful person present is better than one absent: though the ring be crooked, is it not on the door?

Whether you be righteous or crooked, always creep forwards to Him...

When the pain of love has begun to increase your spiritual joy, roses and lilies have taken possession of the garden of your soul."

Rumi (Vol. 2, from 1360-1379)

Commentary: The invitation is to show up, just as we are. Then the confusion begins in earnest.  Most of us could write volumes on the "pain of love".  But what if "spiritual joy" sometimes means longing, restlessness, humility, helplessness and always having to beg for help? How can  crooked, disrespectful seekers ever know what is happening in the garden of their  souls? Best to just keep knocking...