Greetings to TSJ Peeps (and visitors),
Welcome to a blog by an ordinary shepherd in ordinary and lately very wet (slippery) pastures. (Yes, it is a TSJ metaphor).
Our primary teacher today is Solomon, the wisest (and cutest, cleanest) sheep ever. If you are new, you can read about Solomon on the about page of this blog site.
So today . . let me ask you a question. Have you ever been desperate to go the bathroom or get a drink from a vending machine only to arrive and see the sign: Temporarily Out of Order?
When you are in great need of simple things in life to go right for you and they do not, how do you react? I know. It depends on what it is and just how desperate we are.
Today’s blog is not about major suffering. It is about daily trials. Like sand in your shoe.
For example, think about a time – perhaps a time when you really, really had to go to the potty. You finally find a rest room and there is the sign on the door! Out of Order!
I remember one such time when Tom and I were happily enjoying the beautiful Catskills. We had started home from our vacation and decided to enjoy the mountains on the way. In fact, we were even contemplating finding a motel room to spend one more night away from home.
It was a gloriously beautiful day. But for a a bit I could not enjoy it. My eyes were scanning the horizon for a rest area (restroom).
The unthinkable happened. The car made a horrible sound and quit. And I mean the engine quit. On a very public highway. I was not happy. I was desperately uncomfortable.
All the assurances in the world could not replace the solution I needed and desperately wanted. No amount of distractions worked. And no amount of gratitude nor one single platitude could empty one very full bladder. Sometimes what is … is. We are physical beings and have basic needs that when unmet can affect our dispositions!
We called all the necessary reinforcements and were brought back to a tiny gas station with no restroom fit for public use. I pleaded, and was granted permission, to go to the back where the garage men went. It was as bad as they described and I did not care!
Have you ever found that the closer you get to relief the harder it is to be patient? (For example, when the bathroom is in sight it seems harder to hold on?” At the end of a school year teachers, parents, and students often feel that way. Things that are tolerated all year become increasingly difficult to tolerate. You are desperate for a break. Relief from whatever is dragging you down. If so, you are a normal peep who will appreciate Solomon’s next move.
SOLOMON AND SJ IN A TENSE MOMENT
I was hoping to check in with Solomon for some Wednesday Wisdom to share with TSJ peeps. But apparently young SJ had whined to Solomon one too many times.
When I arrived, I saw Solomon sitting with his normal grin and playful eyes) but with a big sign he had scribbled (misspells are forgiven) and hung around his neck: “Out of Wizdom….”
What? Not at all like Solomon. Very not like Solomon, but I know Solomon type Wisdom well enough to know there was a purpose and it was not unkind.
He winked at me when I entered. Clearly he needed to get SJ’s attention. So when SJ came to whine one more time, Solomon did not bite. SJ turned away in a huff. Oh. Oh.
SJ depends on Solomon, even when whining. He knows Solomon will speak truth. He does not want to hear the truth, but he knows it is right.
Solomon could not spell temporarily. Besides no one pays any attention to that word when feeling urgency. It is a great word if you can see it before an emergency occurs so you can plan a detour.
But SJ wants Solomon to always be there. Always.
I knew immediately that this was for me. I laughed and said, “This is a joke, Solomon, right?”
“Of course. But both you (gulp) and SJ have been upset about small things this week.”
“Small things” I ask? I listed several things that seemed big to me.
“Yes, in the scheme of life they have all been small. And like SJ,you have indulged in some self-pity”
He is right and self=pity is not pretty. But Wisdom waits. When we are ready to listen it seeps into our minds like a transfusion of goodness.
Wisdom found me this morning. I gently took the sign off Solomon and he smiled.
You can too.
Playing in the pastures again,
Margie
