Tag: loyalty

Rabbits in the garden

But God’s authority builds up; it doesn’t tear down July 1, 2024

2 Corinthians 10:8, 17, 11:3 Our authority builds you up; it doesn’t tear you down. … As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.” … I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted.

I am grieving today. After a devastating aneurysm and stroke last week, our dear friend Donna left us yesterday. We will miss her so much.

At the same time, we KNOW where Donna is now, and that we’ll see her again (1 Thessalonians 4:13). God’s Spirit hovered over her and her family in precious ways these last sacred days. I hope, as I always do, that Karis was there to meet her and help orient her to the wonders of her new Home, face to face with her beloved Savior.

Another thing happened yesterday, before we knew it would be Donna’s Homegoing day. I was chatting with a friend in the hallway after the early service when she noticed a bunny in the church’s meditation garden. SOOO cute!

As we watched, the wee rabbit attacked one of the flowers. Suddenly it didn’t look quite as cute, even though it was simply acting according to its nature. My mind flipped to the morning I looked outside to see two rabbits devouring my flowers, and my grandson saying, “We should have looked for rabbit-resistant, not just deer-resistant.”

How did that bunny get into the completely enclosed “courtyard” garden at church? No idea.

Sooo cute — until it started attacking the flowers

I kept thinking about the bunny while participating in a discussion of a book by Michael Wear called The Spirit of Our Politics, in which the author calls us back to loyalty to God in first place, rather than allowing politics to usurp our Lord’s place in our hearts. Politics, Wear says, while important for the betterment of our society, is penultimate, not ultimate. It is prudential and conditional, not absolute. He calls us to daily growth in character, so we can become the people who faithfully live out the way of Jesus in every area of our lives, including politics. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—will be evident as we seek to serve our communities.

So, I wondered, how did the rabbit of self-interest get into the enclosed garden of our hearts, trampling and consuming the beautiful fruit the Spirit wants to grow there? How is it possible that we look to politics to meet our heart-needs? How can we justify allowing the precious, holy name of Christ to be associated with a political “brand,” while behaving nothing like him? How do othering, aversion, and misplaced moralism advance the Gospel (Wear’s terms—you’ll have to read the book)?

I’m grateful for the shining life of our friend Donna, who showed us so consistently the beautiful fruit of the Spirit.

Almighty God, your truth endures from age to age. Direct in our time, we pray, those who speak where many listen and write what many read; that they may speak your truth to make the heart of this people wise, its mind discerning, and its will righteous, to the honor of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCP 51

The cost of kindness, by Meredith Dobson

But God is right beside me

Psalm 18:8 I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

The gardener had shoveled a path from the curb to the front door. However, sun had melted a piece by the curb that froze and created “black ice.” I had loaded my arms and begun a walk to the house when, without warning, my feet went out from under me and I was flat on my back, head on the pavement looking at clear blue sky.

Shutterstock: Maria Sbytova

Stunned, I couldn’t breathe for a moment. But I was vaguely aware I had seen a man walking on the sidewalk toward me. Now he was beside me trying to lift me up. Suddenly a woman appeared saying “don’t lift her, she might be hurt.” Somehow, I got to my feet, feeling a little dazed, but I felt no pain.

A second woman appeared. My knees were shaky, but they supported me. “Is this your house?” someone asked.  It was in my head to explain the long, complicated story of why I was there and whose house it was, but it seemed like too much.  All I could say was a quiet “Yes.”

The man who had been walking asked if I needed things from the trunk that was open.  I said, “Yes I do – bags from Target and” …  my mind went completely blank. In my mind I could see the Staples store, but my head felt full of mush, and I couldn’t find the word. It occurred to me that I had hit my head on the pavement, and I needed to hold on and not faint or say or do anything stupid. “Staples!” I shouted. These kind angels brought the bags into the house for me. Before I could say “God Bless” they were off into the morning sunshine warning me of the black ice.

I felt a miracle of sorts going through me. Nothing hurt. Maybe my hip would have a bruise. Nothing broken. I stood there in this living room belonging to a woman I felt deep affection for and whose final years and now months or weeks or whatever kind of time God had planned for her are mine to watch over. I took off my puffy coat and was thankful for the soft cushioning I had landed on when I fell. I said a direct and sincere “Thank You” to God for no injuries.  Then I “heard” Him say, “Ok, Meredith, get to work.”

Throughout these weeks and months that I have been Power of Attorney on behalf of this dear woman, I have often questioned the extent and manner in which my choices and decisions for her needed to be taken. I have asked for advice. I have talked to God. I have asked for guidance. People have offered opinions. People have said what they would or would not do, but at the end of the day, the choices and decisions were mine to make and to live with. 

On that day, when I was flat on my back, looking at the sky and minutes later scanning my body for injury, there was no doubt in my mind that God was with me and guiding me. God will help me with mistakes, and he will guide me whenever I ask. My only job is to be honest, truthful and keep my friend’s best interest at the top of the list right underneath God’s. Amen.

Proverbs 3: 3 – Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.