Worlds

It is cool these May mornings when I walk out to Hinterhaus. I open up the picket gate that I hung last fall and walk the big yard to the shed door. On the way there will be a new gopher mound or two piled up on the grass and the birds fill the air with new songs. Last year I clipped some twigs off of a corkscrew willow along the banks of the small lake at the winery where I work. I rooted them and set two of them in this yard. They are happily independent now, have survived the winter and are reaching for new heights. Honeysuckle is trailing up the fence behind the shed promising fragrance and beauty. I’m used to this little world. I open the Hinterhaus shed to find two Wheaten Terriers spilling out like quintessential “Tiggers” towards me–jolly morning lovers, ready for the day.

When I came here to live in my cousin’s house my world became much smaller than it had ever been before. I spent most of my time inside the space of 13 x 14 ft. walls. Somehow I liked it that way–like a cocoon, like a womb again. I left for work or church and came back to the cocoon. I took a walk alone or with a friend and came back inside the womb again. My world was limited, dependable and controlled. All that happened inside happened with a touch of my computer, the book I was reading, or the occasional call from a loved one. When the year of the “pandemic” hit, it didn’t bother me so much. Solitude had already become a friend, my world.

But when the last freeze came awhile back, then warmth and daylight expanded across the land, this little world of mine seemed to expand again, too. With warmer weather and longer days, it seemed past time to visit trails and parks. I suddenly remembered how much I love to be with people and mingle in the community, walk on its paths, float on its waters. I can report that on Friday, the tiniest female softball players wowed their parents and friends on the field in Ozark and across the creek and lawn from them some older boys were playing baseball. Three young boys climbed under the purple bridge (Go Hillbillies, purple and gold!) to get close to the creek and a young girl had the arm of the tallest boy around her shoulders. Across the way, a friend who used to cut my hair, was walking too, and had let her Goldendoodle off leash. He was running excitedly ahead of her, nose to the pavement.

“I like this slightly bigger world too”, I say to myself as I walk, wondering if her big dog would catch up to me.

I pass by blue signs that line the outer edge of the park next to the road on the way to the high school. I must photograph each one. They tell me that good-hearted people live here, people who want to teach the children good things, and remind the adults of the same.

Isn’t that wonderful?

If it wasn’t for the pesky news I might imagine this is the state of the whole country. It is only the news beyond here that breaks into this peaceful little hamlet of mine. If only the national news outlets and those they are reporting about held these standards dear as we do—-if only the golden rule of Jesus was forefront in their minds (Matthew 7:12)….Do unto others... “IS it beneficial to all?” “Is it fair to all concerned?” As they wield their powers of influence across the globe on those whose trust they have gained, do they mean to consider, “Is it fair to all concerned?” “Is it the Truth?”

I take the world’s view in small bites. I wonder what is true of all I hear. My small sessions of national and global awareness are followed by some angst and worry, and hopefully, some needed prayer with reminders about guarding the heart, keeping peace within. Many of you let the whole, scary world in. I think you are brave and have nerves of steel (or nerves taking a beating!) You look it all in the face and take strong stands. Sometimes you seem strong and bold, sometimes angry and defeated, sometimes afraid, but always full of conviction. I hear you. I admire you. I see you, and in my small world I pray for you, the watchmen who stand, speak out and guard against the harmful ideologies that are warring for dominance in our land. They cause violence, coercion, deceit, and injustice to name only a few. It is proven that when evil is left unopposed, people suffer, some will die. Tomorrow, 3000 people will be lost to the idea that a death sentence is an acceptable and proper option for one’s own offspring through abortion. What a victory for hell was the ideology that produced Roe v. Wade. I have to wonder, if unchallenged, will the evil ideas flooding through the land, will these beliefs and systems come pushing in on my sweet little world? Yes, I know they have already. Suddenly I think we can’t all just close our eyes and our mouths. Or maybe I realize I can’t. I think we must find our lines based on God’s word and then hold those lines with the fruit of our lives and the words that we say. I’m searching out those lines.

I wrote some letters to my senators. I wrote to the governor too. Once I wrote to the local police and the mayor. I give to groups who stand for what is right. Will it matter? I am not always sure. I am sure that living in our communities, loving all, being kind to our neighbors, praying for each other, for our leaders, becoming leaders ourselves, pointing all to Jesus with our lives and our words does matter, will change the world for the good–the small worlds we live in and maybe beyond. If we respectfully take our stands among our own, it matters. If we are humble and adjust them if we find ourselves in error, it matters. Our prayers will move mountains. Our words hinged on the truth of God’s word will wield His influence–I admonish myself that His word should be the first line I draw against the evil in the world.

Not every battle is yours or mine to fight, not every injustice, not every lie, but those that are mine, I pray He finds me faithful to those. If you are taking bold stands in your world, I hope you take care of yourself and keep standing. We, however small we feel, are an important part of the whole.

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10