Monthly Archives: April 2013

Disfigured vs. Transfigured

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This story will seem disjunctive to you:

It is late in the season for chicks. We are at a friend’s farm. A very kind friend. A good listener. We are recovering from a great blow to the heart of the family

My young son finds an egg in the chicken coop. He cradles it gently in his hands and runs into the kitchen where several large goose eggs are incubating.

A month later little Biscuit is born. Hatched, if you will.

My son saved that one small feathered life from being scrambled. A small story.

I have been thinking about what it is we are and what we are becoming. None of us will stay in our eggs forever. We will break out to splendor or be cracked over a waiting pot.

Mark 9:2 (NIV)
After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them.

I am going to unspool this strange story tomorrow. But for tonight only this–are you being disfigured or transfigured by the small events of your life? Your secret fears? You abiding passions?

When Jesus is revealed in secret his splendor is unforgettable.

When you and I are exposed for our true and eternal selves, what will people see?

Splendor or the pot?

After the Sea

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We sleep in boats
Strewn out across
An unending sea
Cling to blankets, shelter, each other

An archipelago of contained air
All that holds us
Up inflatable dinghies,
Flotsam unstable

We call to each other
Sun-drenched dazed
Testing our new words
Like… beach balls….
Flood….
Antediluvian–
post-apocalyptic always

Cup your hands
Across your eyes
Look to the deep
Where the leviathan hides

Home.

Martha Speaks, Mary Speaks

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I love the PBS show Martha Speaks. Martha is a very lovable talking dog who teaches vocabulary lessons. One of the reasons I love PBS kids is the safety inherent in these child-centered communities. Such safe places.

In today’s episode Martha becomes discouraged when her constant chatter is not appreciated. She neglects her speech and has to resume talking quickly to foil a crime.

I feel for Martha. Often people don’t appreciate words. Some things are difficult to face, much less talk about. This episode always makes me grateful for those who expose crime and injustice. Like my adopted daughter, for instance. She helped her little sister get help. She spoke out.

Thanks kid.

An Interventionist God

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Mark 9:1 (NIV)
And he said to them, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.”

I don’t often suffer from writer’s block. I am bossy enough to write about something. But I do suffer from faith block and I do suffer from what-is-the-point-malaise. This is a malady wherein you seriously doubt you are doing lasting good. it has a nasty kick–discouragement and grief, loneliness, spiritual myopia.

This pronouncement of Jesus’ is enigmatic. All the disciples would eventually taste death–some quite unpleasant. What did he mean?

The kingdom of God is Jesus. His power over hell is defining–AD versus BC defining. We all must see this power–this complete and perfect ability of Jesus, king of heaven, to rob hell and death of their eternal sting.

That is power indeed. All else falls in behind.

The Bad Days

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Some days are just hard. You could tell me I need more sunlight or you could tell me that I need to leave the past behind me. I wouldn’t advise it, but you could.

But what I would say–

Grief is a big dog sitting on your chest
An arrow lodged in my sternum
The shadow on my daughter’s
Face
Lost people
And the dream of a family where everyone is safe
Someday.

April.

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Google holidays and earmarked days in April. What do you get? Doctor Day? Earth Day? STD Awareness? Our calendar is littered with days of remembrance, but how about child abuse?

There are supposed to be child abuse awareness marches today. Heard about them?

How about crime victims? This week is dedicated to crime victims. Heard about that?

We get really quiet when it comes to child advocacy and victims’ rights.

Why?

Why are we so afraid to speak for the children? Why are we equally skittish about protecting crime victims?

Who speaks for the voiceless? Do you?

Our Inner Voice

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I just read a poster–

the way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice.

Wow, I thought, true.

I remember my grandmother’s wake–old style, do-it-right southern luncheon. I could hear her voice in my head exclaiming over how delicious the fried chicken was. That was the last time I heard her voice.

My mother’s voice haunts me. I miss her laugh and her intelligence and her occasional generosity. But there are many things she says to and about me I do not miss. I have taken steps to avoid those painful words.

After my daughters’ counselor read Just she said, Now I understand why you are such a careful parent.

I want more than anything for my children’s inner voice to be one of profound wisdom and love.

A love that lasts forever.

The Cypher

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A few of us may remember a night spent with dear, dear friends camping in the woods. Deep, off-site camping.

Spooky.

There were four of us. Two were afraid of bears. A couple afraid of humans.

In the end two slept. And two did not. The sleepers were candid–

we slept because we knew you were awake.

Guarding us, so to speak.
Vigilant and awake
Maybe a little paranoid, even.
Tired in the morning.

Some will stay awake
So that the little ones can be
Safe.

The Marriage Vow

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Matthew 22:12-13 KJV

[12] And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. [13] Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 6: 21 NIV

[21] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The Kingdom

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Mark 9:1 (NIV)
And he said to them, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.”

The Bible is a crazy story. I am not sure I would trust anyone who wasn’t willing to admit that.

But then I think history is a crazy story. Herodotus? Stalin? A kamikaze wind thwarting Genghis Khan? Give me a break!

I seems to me that Jesus (who is Truth) says some stuff that might have been a little confusing.

It also seems like he says stuff that is hard to hear.

This one seems confusing. Huh? Taste death? Kingdom of God?

But then when you think about what he is saying it is…oh! Of course!

He is the King. They are looking at the kingdom.

Look at the King.
Don’t miss the kingdom.