Today’s Word from Pastor Jim…
It was a much-anticipated event, there had been one delay after another. His brother and now even his younger cousin kept losing teeth. They were achieving considerable financial gain from the discarded fangs now confiscated by a mythical creature, a winged pixie who mysteriously appears and disappears under the cover of darkness. Cooper was pushing 7 years old, when would he experience the joy of losing that first tooth? Like most of life, the timing was out of his control, he could only wait and pray. When the stars aligned the progression began. It was loose, it was wiggly, with a little twisting, a little blood, out she came and there was great jubilation.
Life, even in moments of jubilation, is always complicated. Cooper held in his hand a tooth that had been his friend for more than 5 years, it was the key to his financial freedom. But as he gazed upon this baby tusk he was saddened to think of its departure from his world. This treasure would soon be gone, one more tooth in the innumerable collection of the Tooth Fairy. Cooper decided to roll the dice, to make a deal, to plead for mercy and for payment. He placed the tooth under his pillow with an illustrated note that said, “Dear Tooth Fairy, since it is my first tooth, may I please keep it? And get my tooth money? Love, Cooper.”
Well, the little pixie must have been in a magically good mood, because when morning arrived the tooth remained and amongst the fairy dust was $5.
There have been times in my life when I tried to cut a deal with God. I offered God some service or a promise of improved behavior, in exchange I was looking for a miracle cure for a loved one or some inane creature comfort that I thought I needed. In those instances, both parties ended up being disappointed. I was unable to perform the service, my self-centered behavior did not markedly improve, and God remained silent. Let’s just say that Cooper had better luck with the Tooth Fairy than I had with my Creator. It is difficult to make deals when we have little to offer and no real understanding of the complex realities of the universe. And truth be known, if God had done business with me at 8 years of age, if God had taken my deal, I would have married Cindy Johnson and that probably would not have turned out very well. Especially for Cindy Johnson.
Here is the deal that we already have; we were given the gift of life. A gift that comes to us without our participation or consultation. The gift is unearned. We receive 40 years or a hundred years on this beautiful blue green planet. We are loved by God, even when we are not very loveable, we are forgiven always, and we are not alone. We can never be alone. And when we die, we return to the one who gave us the gift of life. It makes no difference if we believe it, the deal is good even if we do not perform.
It is best not to make deals with God. Just live your life as best you can in response to God’s amazing grace. We are blessed to be a blessing. But if you lose a tooth and want to keep possession of it while still profiting financially, talk to Cooper.
One beggar, telling another beggar where to find bread, I am your,
Pastor Jim
PS: If you would like to respond directly to Pastor Jim, please email rvlindus@whidbey.com.
