Shade Tree Wisdom 3/2/10

The weather people tell us this is one of the coldest winters in the Gulf Coast ever. “As a matter of fact,” he said rather plaintively, “we had 12 days when the temperature dropped below freezing!" I see you smile tolerantly and I understand, but that’s what the man said.

But this morning, yes, it was still cold. But wind and walking was just fine. The birds were out in force, twittering and singing and sounding as if they, too, were welcoming the coming of Spring soon now.

The thought entered my mind that deep in the innards of your washing machine there is a small tube connected to a valve. That valve controls how much water enters your machine, and if it fails, look out, water will come till you turn it off. But that happens so rarely then when it does, you will remember it. You have never had that happen, did you?

And that reminded me of the earthquake that shook Chile. Conception was hardest hit, I understand. We hear stories of rescue and other events. One story is about a father and his 7 year old daughter sleeping in their apartment on the 7th floor of their building. When the quake hit, the building started to tremble and shake, so the father rushed to pick up his daughter, and while they were clinging to each other the building collapsed. When they regained consciousness they saw stars, so they climbed out of their window to the ground and were safe.

But then the other, looting was rampant, and police seemed to be absent, so when things settled down a bit it was discovered that stores had been stripped, and there was no food or water available. And I wonder, how would we act, join the thieves, or desist?

St. Paul had a word for us in times like that, or any time in life. He writes, “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” Philippians 2, 13 – 15. May we really “shine as lights” at any time.

In the morning, the bus loads children right at the foot of our driveway and often is doing that when I am returning from the walk. I have this insane desire to leave out the cattle drive shout, “Load ‘em up, get ‘em out”. In a way that is what this is too, loading and getting to a destination, except they use busses instead of horses. But I desist, people think it is strange to be out walking in the dark already. And I remember “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven
. . .I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives.” Eccl. 3, 1.1…2. So enjoy the day which the lord has set before you.

GPD 3/2/10