The Unexpected and Welcome Intrusion of Simplicity

Self disclosure time; I'm not the type of guy who spends a lot of time looking at, marveling at, or even really noticing some of the simple things of life; like the freshness of the morning mist (something we experience frequently here in the Seattle area), or other poetic experiences. I wouldn't say that I'm immune to those kinds of moments, it's just that the"stop and smell the roses" kinds of experiences aren't, or at least haven't, been a part of my experience.

That is, until this summer.

Two experiences occurred that really made me sit up and take notice; or better, freeze in my tracks. One was during a very simple, non-agenda filled walk in our back yard with my wife Elizabeth. Often we make the rounds in the yard taking note of what's blossoming and what's not, and more often than not, pointing out things that need to be eradicated; this plant trimmed, those weeds pulled, etc. On one such occasion as we were walking, I happened to take notice of a massive rose. It appeared that this bloom had subsisted on a diet solely of Miracle Grow! But in addition to its size, I took particular note of its intricacies. Each of the petals seemed to have been delicately placed by the Creator in such a way as to be unique and lovingly formed. "What care," I thought "was given to this signature piece of God's handiwork. And, as if to be the "icing on the cake," it smelled great!

Now remember, I don't generally have these kinds of "waxing poetic" moments! And I don't know what amazed me more; the flower or the fact that I noticed the flower!

Experience number two occurred within a day or two of the amazing rose incident. We had set up the coveted "Froggy" wading pool for our five-year old granddaughter. She was having a great time splashing around on one of those rare, "warm enough to get wet and enjoy it" days in the Northwest. I was struck by her carefree manner of play. She wasn't thinking about the next meeting she had at church. She wasn't thinking of balancing the books and the impending tuition payments coming up. She had no concern for how rough the car was idling or how worn the tires are getting. All she knew was that the "Froggy" pool was filled with water and it was time to relish it. My sense of envy nearly colored me as green as "Froggy" himself. Honestly, I was somewhat chagrined that I was that stressed. Was I really trusting in the one who owns the cattle on a thousand hills? It took both Mady and "Froggy" to awaken me to the simplicity of the moment.

I came from those experiences with something much more than just the platitude of "You've just got to stop and smell the roses" (literally)! I gleaned from this a conviction that life truly is precious, and fleeting. We don't have the luxury of  irresponsibly living aloof and walking away from what's required of us. But neither should we get so caught up in the stresses of the day (or week, or month) that simplicity becomes an intrusion as opposed to an intention, a destination, a refreshment. By that I mean that now, when I find myself "in a moment," rather than grouse about how infrequent they come and how short a time they last, I try and just soak it in and realize "I'm in the moment right now! Thank you Lord for helping me to realize that! Thank you, Lord, that you provide these moments of grace."

The Preacher of Ecclesiastes said it best: "This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?" (Ecclesiastes 2:24b-25)

Conspiracy to Fail

I heard a story recently on the network news that was distressing, yet not surprising for where our culture resides these days.Evidently there was an offer made by a website (which I won't name; not wanting to grant them any publicity) of $1,000,000. (yep, that's million) to anyone that could, as they put it, "bed" Tim Tebow, the recent trade to the New York Jets from the Denver Broncos. In other words (as if I have to get more graphic!) one million dollars awaits the individual who can successfully cause Mr. Tebow to violate his stand of faith regarding his virginity. That's how low we've sunk for entertainment.

There is an obvious problem with a society, or at least a portion of it, that takes joy in, and even rewards success in causing someone to fail morally. Unfortunately the real problem stems from those that cannot stomach the fact that Mr. Tebow actually is not afraid to admit publicly, as he has, that he is following the God-ordered design for intimacy. His seeking to live faithful to the God he worships and is not shy about following is anathema to the world view of some. He is living out the biblical injunction to "...let the marriage bed be undefiled..." (Hebrews 13:4, ESV) and his conviction is mocked. I guess we shouldn't be surprised that living out a biblical ethic is no longer in vogue.I'm distressed, but not surprised.

However, if that's what it means to be "with it" in society; to intentionally take pride in another individual's compromise, I'm happy to be a misfit. After all, Jesus told us to expect it. He said, in John 15:19 "If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." I guess that's part of what it meant when Jesus told his disciples to be sure to count the cost. The days of open faith in the marketplace are long gone. Believers are not only despised by some, but are objects of conspiracy and sources of payouts if they can be dragged down. Perhaps then one's guilt is mitigated by the falling of another. So sad to see.