Today as I was enjoying the
thoughts of yesterday's trip with the Grandkids to Rockwood's "Parade of
Lights" there was a new resolution made. Recognize what should not be
changed. Who after all would want to change the spontaneous hug of a two year
old as he whispers "I wove you Gwampa". Who wants to change the
imaginary dragon nipping at all of us? Why change the obvious highlight of the
event expressed by my granddaughter, "Santa ran over the horse poop".
Life is like that. Horse poop is funny.
There is a need for me to
resolve to change but no need for it to be some statement made on a specific
day. This year there have been enough necessary changes. It is likely this is
true of all of us. Improvements made
around the house, more help being offered in regular household chores, changes
made in business and even changes in personal habits. These were conscious choices
many have made this year. Budgets get
changed, income changes and family dynamics change and all these demand a
resolution to cope and adopt. Good people change, they cope, and they resolve
and overcome. They fight, often without really knowing what it is they are
fighting for.
In starting this blog I rhetorically
resolved to finish it. Douglas interrupted me.
In many ways the story of my life is that "I" have been interrupted. This is great. It fits with my past goal of
relishing hiccups in plans. It is wisdom to understand that the "I"
that I strive for is best reflected in the mirror of interruptions. Interruptions
by a beautiful wife, wonderful kids, customers, friends and strangers. This
wisdom is only half of it though. The other half is that all the above people
have graciously allowed me to be an interruption in their life. Good decision, I loved the break in my day
Douglas created, loved learning more about Cerebral Palsy and was fine with
having to write this now; which is later than I had hoped.
My business involves
discussing changes in a garden. This
consulting process demands a lengthy conversation on what is good about the
existing yard. In fact it is my job to point out good things that they
missed. If there is no recognition of strength
in the current garden they will likely be disappointed in the creation they
hope to make. Personally, though this
likely hurts sales, it is necessary to warn people about the amount of time and
money a new garden will cost them. If one has never weeded in the past there is
little hope that they are going to weed in the future. New sod takes hours and
hours of watering. If you dream of a Ferrari you need to be able to afford the
insurance and the maintenance. Better to let us "garden" a change over
time than landscape an immediate change.
Attached is one of my
favourite poems on change that I sent to a customer who was going through many
changes. Reflect a bit on your changes and resolve to joy and the source of
this joy. It is not always fun but Jesus loves you.
God's Garden Tour
December 5th, 2011
I always know when He is there
Coming unbidden to my garden
I cringe at the state of my weeds
My best plants are not in bloom
Yet he comes and walks with me
He rests and quietly soaks in
All that has always been His garden
He stirs up the fragrance of me
Reminds me how much I am loved
Refresh’s like dew on Roses
He plants some exotic flowers
I have no ability to tend
He overwhelms me with presence
I have no capacity to hold
A kiss of the Son through shade