Just Cover my Mouth with Duct Tape

   Well, day two of not complaining has come and gone. What I noticed today is that not complaining is much more difficult when others are around who are complaining. Why is that? It’s almost like the common cold. We take flu shots, drink orange juice, and still the common cold floats through populations.

   So, if complaining is contagious, it is also possible that the reverse could be true. Perhaps by not complaining in the midst of complaining will produce a positive result. But, with what purpose; why not just go ahead complain? Think about the difference. One thing goes wrong in the day, you stop to complain to someone else. They are just a bit more deflated after the conversation. Then, when something else doesn’t go right, it becomes even more wrong. You complain more, perhaps with some additional volume, and it deflates others a bit more. Not to mention, that midst all of this that a considerable amount of time that could have been taken to deal with and possibly solve the problem. With that in mind, I’m hoping that that is effect I see.

Grabbing the Hem

   I damaged my knee and ankle about a year ago. At the time, there was a lot of wait and see to know if surgery would be needed or if physical therapy would work to restore the joints. Doctors looked at x-rays and put me through a range of tests. Does this hurt? Does that hurt? Can you do this? How about that? About a year later I was taking a walk and had a twinge, just a twinge, in my knee.

   I had a moment of discouragement. How long is this going to last? Really, it’s still hurting? But, then I remembered the woman who was tenacious and persistent in seeking healing. There was a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years. She went to doctors and spent all of her resources in getting different treatments. Nothing worked, nothing helped. Twelve years? She must have been getting desperate by now. But, she didn’t give up. Instead, she heard about Jesus. She came up behind him and touched his cloak thinking, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” The woman touched the garment and was freed from her illness.
   I love the tenacity of that woman! I love how she was seeking healing, had not given up – even after twelve years. Can’t you just imagine her face as the crowd was pressing around Jesus? The determination and hope in her eyes? How easy it is to give up, to say that something just won’t change or heal. But, we have an example of something different here. No matter what is your hurt or twinge or pain, physical or mental or emotional – grab onto the hem of the garment.
   "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." Mark 5:34

Healing

I noticed a few days ago, that I am healing. I had a bad leg injury several months ago, which left me couch bound and hobbling for quite some time. What happened? Well….

September of last year, I was in Ottawa and fell on a cobblestone sidewalk. Falling, and finding myself having a much closer view of the concrete than I had wished for, I pushed myself back up and found a low wall to sit on. Breathe in, breathe out, that is all I concentrated on for a few minutes. Finally, I steeled myself to look at the ankle which was apparently confusing itself with a golf ball holder. I made it back to Iowa wearing a borrowed ankle boot protector thing.
Physical therapy, a different boot, and very flat shoes followed. But, just this last week after walking about five miles, I was sore the next few days. I could feel the muscles complaining. Complaining, but not injured, a little sore but not debilitated. It was a realization which hit me again, my leg is healing!
From pain that took my breath away and led the world to dim before my eyes to a small complaint, it didn’t occur overnight but it did occur. Healing from bad sprains (I won’t go into the more gross injury parts), healing from emotional hurts, from hopes that have been dashed or plans that have been crashed, healing does occur. It is not quick, not overnight, but gradually one day – you realize that you just walked five miles and feel great!

Getting Away

Ever felt the need to get away?  You know, when the cry inside of you reaches out and starts screaming, “Stop the world I want off!”  Things get too much, too hard, too busy.  In other words, you need rest.  Then, following a good night’s sleep, have you ever noticed that it is a little better, a little easier?

Jesus stirred the city, he cleaned out the temple, he healed, he rejoiced in the presence of the children.  Sounds like a full day to me. 

“And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night,” (Matthew 21:17).

I have four calendars on my desk, three are paper and one is electronic.  Another electronic on my home PC, another paper one at home, and a bound calendar in my purse.  I have been there when my calendar was so jammed full of this, that, and the other that without all of those calendars, there was no way I could remember all of the to-dos to do during the day. All of the things on that calendar were good.  But, at the end of the day, I was exhausted and not being filled with what I needed.  How was it I couldn’t be filled with so many good things going on? I needed to make sure that I included one more thing in my schedule.  I needed to leave and get away, spending time with God.  The quiet time with God recharges me as nothing else does. 

Bubbles, Laughter, and Supposed Irreverence

Compare two environments – the hospital room of someone is dying, the hospital room where a new life was just born. Somber, serious, fear, hurt, perhaps anger and anguish all lie in the one room. Laughter perhaps, showing signs of strain through tears. The labor room, laughter and tears again, but this with the laughter shining through. A lusty cry is a signal to rejoice.


Now, compare these two environments – the temple before and the temple after. The before is the before Jesus came and removed the “den of thieves” from its presence. The before is when the temple, God’s very house, was made the marketplace where quasi acceptable sacrifices could be purchased. Imagine the sound of the birds in their cages, footfalls as people stop and look. Jingling of the coins as a purchase is made. “Over here, look over here. My birds are better. Come friend, let me offer you a deal.” Haggling perhaps was heard.


The after is when “the blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. ...and the children shouting in the temple area, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David,’” (Matthew 14&15b). Imagine the sounds now. Gasps of wonder and joy as healing occurs, children’s feet running, giggles and laughter giving way to shouts and laughter! What a completely different environment. It is as if the area was changed from the place where the deathbed vigil was being kept by a greedy inheritor to a place of birth and growth.


What was the reaction? Again – there are two environments, “But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area...they were indignant.” These are the wonderful people who greet us on Sunday morning. “Can’t you contain that child?” “That music is too loud!” “I just don’t care for the way that style of music is played.” “That sermon is a bit too pointed.” “That sermon lasted forever.” “Can you believe that they wore that?” However, as we begin to picture people in our minds, let us not forget to take a look in the mirror as well. The thing is, that those people really are normally quite wonderful. They often have spent their lives dedicated to their church; they give of themselves, their time, and their resources. The priests certainly had a responsibility in their community. They had worked hard, and I’m sure had many unpleasant responsibilities within their positions. However, they could not see the reverence in the sound of a child’s laughter, in a blind man’s sight, in a lame man’s use of limbs. They were still stuck in the deathbed vigil, misplacing reverence and worship with tradition and somber garb.


“‘Do you hear what these children are saying?’ they asked him,” (Matthew 21:16). It’s kind of last ditch effort to make someone take notice that this is just all very improper. “‘Yes,’ replied Jesus, ‘have you never read, ‘From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise?’”

Protector of the Protectors

Twila Paris wrote a beautiful song in 1984, The Warrior is a Child.  The words both confirm the beauties of God’s grace, the strength, of his armor, and that there are still wounds.  Wounds come to those in the Christian body, and when they are from inside the Christian body it can feel even harsher.  Each of us has gifts, different and yet similar in that they are meant to focus on a common purpose.  Looking at the role of a shepherd, we see someone that guides, someone who addresses wounds, someone who feeds them, and someone who protects them.

A guide helps the sheep know which way to go, the direction of the path which leads to grazing pastures and cool and clean water sources.  A shepherd addresses the wounds of his sheep.  Sometimes, the sheep will bear wounds from poor direction, chasing that elusive scent of fresh grass into a thicket of thorns.  At other times, wounds come from the sharp cut of claws and teeth from a predator.  As all living things, it is important that the sheep are fed.  But, they shouldn’t just eat any thing.  Their bodies will operate best on certain foods. 

We often need help knowing which way to go.  A fan of pro con lists, I have written many of them over the years trying to figure out decisions.  Grabbing whatever piece of paper is handy; I draw out my T and label each side.  Pro, cons – then, I start listing out all of the possible things my decision might affect.  The problem is that often, I still don’t know which way to go.  Instead, I need someone who knows the paths to give me some firm directions. 

A shepherd is responsible for the health of the sheep, meaning that their wounds must be tended.  Strong sure hands can move over that body and know what feels amiss.  Perhaps a patch has been scraped when walking in thorns.  Removal of debris from the wounds and tending to the needs fulfills the role of a healer.  Other animals may see sheep as easy prey, weak and without any defensive means.  Wolves and lions prowl, hungry and looking for prey.  Sharp claws, deadly teeth slash at the sheep and the shepherd must keep the sheep safe. But, also if an attack occurs, the survivors must be given healing touches.

Finally, there is a protector.  The shepherd who stands between the predator and the prey and defends the herd, watchful eyes and ears are required, skill with the use of the staff.  We each have a gift, and some of us are more aware of our enemies than others.  We learn to protect through prayer.  We do not rely on ourselves and our strength, but rely on God to fight for us.  It is the role of the protector to be aware, to warn, to turn things over to God. 

What do you do however when your protectors are tired? Especially, if the hurt is from within the body of Christ, the wound seems to be doubly deep, and infection of bitterness and feelings of betrayal easily set in.  What do you do then?  Yes, I do love that song by Twila Paris, as she acknowledges the hurt, but it is only in the retreat that we go to lay wounded, bruised, and broken at God’s feet.  There, and only there, we are picked up and the shepherd applies the healing ointment The wounds are cleaned, bound, and we are given a time to rest.   Then, donning the armor we resume our role.  

Do you want to be healed?

There was a man who was hurt, his body malfunctioning.  When presented with a chance to be cured he was asked if he wanted to be healed.  What a question that is, it seems like the answer is so self-evident.  Of course!  Then, the plan for repair and restoration is presented.  The wound needs to be cleansed, scar tissues removed, steps taken to prevent infection, and then the rebuilding can occur.  Strengthening can be a sore process, and a slow one as well.  It takes time and work to knit the sinews back together, to rebuild the muscles from emotional stretches and tears. 

Do you want to be healed?  Do you want to work at getting better?  Do you want to spend the time it takes to get better?