Judgement and Mercy

For judgement is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy.

Mercy triumphs over judgement.

James 2:13  

Judgement says,you shouldn't do that, 

Mercy says let me help you with that.

Judgement says, I would never do that. 

Mercy says, There, but for the grace of God, go I.

Judgement says, I am better than you, 

Mercy says we are in this boat together.

Judgement points a finger and shakes its head.

Mercy extends a hand and smiles.

Judgement says I know what you are thinking, what you are like, what you are motivated by...

Mercy says tell me what is going on and listens.

Judgement says I can do that better than you, 

Mercy says let's do this together.

Judgement says, I have this all figured out, 

Mercy embraces mystery and in humility, trusts.

JMM

Empty Boxes

Our “car only” garage by design when we envisioned our new house (We provided for ample storage in other areas.) has become cluttered with storage of all manner of “essential” items from firewood to an old typewriter much to my chagrin and angst.  I like my garages neat and uncluttered though I have to admit many of the non-car “essentials” I stumble over belong to me.  My clutter is important stuff like firewood and a rack for the kayak, My wife’s clutter includes the typewriter, it doesn't work, and empty boxes of various sizes, yes I said empty boxes.  

What can be essential about empty boxes cluttering my garage?  Yesterday Lala my mother turned 91.  My wife had found live tulip bulbs, the non reformed kind, (That will mean nothing to you unless you are Presbyterian.) to give to my Mom for her birthday.  For those who might not know how you transport a large vase of water with live tulip bulbs blossoms 10 miles without them turning over in your car and wetting your seat and clean jeans, the answer is this.  Put them in a previously empty box stuffed with newspaper to wedge the vase upright and then seat belt it to ride shotgun in the front seat. Works like a charm.

Delivering flowers in this manner is a regular occurrence at our house because my sweet wife is always sending flowers to someone.  Whether they are flowers cut from our yard, we have an endless summer hydrangea in the front yard that begs to have its plethora of blossoms shared, or something that has caught her eye in one of her regular visits to a nursery.  Jan sees flowers as a way to spread smiles in the world or around the house.  So we will always need mason jars for cut flowers and boxes to hold them upright as they make their way to moms, neighbors, and friends.

I delivered the tulips to my Mom’s apartment with an appropriate card while she was out so that she would have a pleasant surprise when she returned.  As I was riding home I looked over at the empty box riding shot gun beside me and felt a deep sense of what the the Hebrew word shalom means, wholeness and rightness, everything in its place.  I was struck by the irony, an empty box out of place, a piece of clutter from my garage,  giving me such a warm sense of everything in its place.  The joy of carrying someone a smile from my sweet wife.

A sweet wife and an empty box, what else does a man need?  It made me smile.

Shalom

.

PS:  I walked into the kitchen after writing this piece to find my wife making an arrangement to take to her Mom.  Flowers, a mason jar and a box.  Yep, I’m smiling again.

Loving Life

Psalms 34:12

What man is there who desires life

and loves many days, that he may see good?

Does this describe me?  

Do I love life or endure it?  

Is one of the attractions of life to me that I may see and do good?  

What is good to me?  

Do I believe that good endures?  (Many days.)

What is the connection between life, good, and many days? (That which remains, continued presence.)

Do I see these as my hope for what is to come or the reality, grace, gift, of what is given now?

What do I desire and love?

You, O  Lord, You alone are life, You alone are good, You alone remain.  Give me an undivided heart that I may desire life, see good, and love my days.