I came to know the pond well—the koi, the turtles, the ducks, the changes in vegetation and the water. My eyes anticipated tender burgeoning simplicity at the pond in all seasons, so when the occasional piece of trash floated into the picture, it stuck out to me like a sore thumb and, in that moment, stole my serenity. Litter feels like an assault on the teeming life around it and sometimes I can allow the reactions of others to do the same to my spiritual ecosystem.
That’s life in the big city, folks. And that’s life on earth. There will always be the possibility of an affront on sanctitude, an insult to the purest of intentions and the kindest of deeds. This shouldn’t be a surprise, this should be held as gospel truth.
When I was very young, my friend Joanie and I decided to collect money for the poor. My Grammy’s friend Louise lived in a tiny, one room shack and I wanted to bring the change to her, as my Grammy often brought Louise dinner and produce from Pop Pop’s garden. Holding a mayonnaise jar, we knocked on the doors of our neighbors’ and asked them to give money for the poor. After a few houses, I heard my mother’s voice calling me and returned home. She said the lady next door called and told her what we were doing. Mom understood, but others might not, she said. Dejected and embarrassed, I handed her the jar and Joanie and I found something else to do.
Scoffers scoff, litterers litter, rebels rebel. Children of God love. Tend to the poor, the children, and the fertile ground in doubter’s hearts so that it springs to life in Him. Keep tending, no matter the rejection. Keep loving.
Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you. Reprove a wise man and he will love you. Proverbs 9:8
Meeting God at the Park 