What's Wrong and What's Possible Together?

It's hard to know where to start with that two word question. But I'll start with a famous quote from G.K.Chesterton, noted British writer. And even though, this was his answer in 1910, it serves to remind us that the world's been in trouble for a long time. He, along with other writers, was asked by a London newspaper to respond to the question: What is wrong with the world? Chesterton answered, "I am."

And still today, many of us wrestle with variations of that same question: What is wrong with our country? Our leaders? The Church? The economy? Our marriages and families? And Chesterton's response prompts me, along with my conscience, to ask: "What's wrong with me? Where am I part of the problem?

Well, years ago, I read or heard a story about John Constable, British artist, famous for his landscape paintings. He lived from 1776-1837, married and fathered seven children. His wife, Maria, died of tuberculosis, several months after giving birth to their seventh child. These are facts.

But this is the part of the story I can't corroborate. But stay with me, since the heart of the matter is what my grandmother called, "one of life's valuable lessons." John was working on a large painting. At last it was finished and hung. But draped until potential buyers came to see, and hopefully, purchase the painting.

As the story goes, one of his sons was angry at his father. As to why, I don't know. But, as a parent, I know kids and parents can provoke each other and be misunderstood. Well, one of his sons, to punish his father, took a knife and marred the painting. Then, he ran and hid, like many of us have done, in one way or another, starting with Adam and Eve.

Well, imagine the shock and horror when the unveiling revealed to the patrons, a slashed painting. And imagine how John Constable felt, who probably had a pretty good idea which child was angry enough to do this. Later that day, the son came home, fearful, humble, repentant, like the prodigal son in the Bible story. And while hundreds of years separate the two stories, there are two important similarities. Both sons returned home. And both fathers welcomed them home with actions that demonstrated their love for their children. The outcome was forgiveness and reconciliation.

So, many of you know how the story ended with the prodigal son. (Luke 15: 11-32) But what supposedly happened between John, the painter, and his son? Well, he took the boy to the painting and asked, "Did you do this?" The boy answered, "Yes." Then the father asked a question that revealed the father's love for his son and the lesson to be learned, hopefully, "How shall we mend it, my dear?" No shaming and blaming. Simple confession and bridging the gulf with love. How shall we mend it, my dear?

And they mended it.

Together.

And life is Better Together, which is the theme for a series of chapel talks at Gordon College, which I was part of last Friday. So, the series prompted me to think about what keeps us from coming together. The list is long, but social media plays a large role. It feeds confusion through lies and misinformation, hate, distrust and fear, for starters.

But then I remember reading that the most repeated command in the Bible is, Fear Not. So when I take a look at what frightens or worries me, as I've written before, I say or write HERE BE GOD! Then, I picture Jesus welcoming me with open arms, not clenched fists. And that gives me courage to fess up where I'm the problem. Or listen to learn where I'm at fault. Then, I sense the One who knows and loves us whisper, "How shall we mend it, my dear?"

There's so much that needs mending.

And we all need nudges, reminders and commands like this one: "FEAR NOT, for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. " (Isaiah 41: 10, NKJV)

So, brave or quaking hearts and knees, fear not. Easy to write. Hard to trust some days. But we are not alone. So, while Spring hides under snow, ice, or mud, lets trust again in what's possible. Trust in the God who loves helping us do impossible acts of love and kindness. And then lets become part of God's guild of holy menders.

God's guild of holy menders.

Want to join?