Someone asked me for a cup of water today, and I gave them some ice with it, too. That’s because when they asked to run a mile with me, I asked for them to run another two.
And when, seemingly out of the blue, trouble comes and finds me, it discovers me prepared. I’m not a person who believes in luck, so I was ready for much worse.
When someone laughs at me or recalls a story of deceit, I remain stone-faced as Mt. Rushmore and don’t look away. When I’m really on my game, I openly cry.
This is to remind us all of our own vain insecurities. I’ve learned that when you pick a fight against the foundations of this world, you’ll be exposed when the time comes. There’s nothing new under the sun.
No need to rush me, I’ve got all the time in the world. Go ahead and be petty. Be selfish. But I can out-stubborn an ass. Put it on my resume.
I love mercy so much that I most definitely am a fool. I am not a judge, not even a lawyer. I am a joyful farmer, (though sometimes I am mad). The Earth is my inheritance, so I plant redwoods with my marigolds.
This means I weep with those who weep, for ourselves and for those who don’t. We understand our place in this empire of dirt. It’s who we are.
We still take the time to weed the soil of its thorns, and we remove all the stones we can. It takes a long time, but we aren’t afraid of hard work. The meek have calloused hands.
I’ve realized that birds don’t worry about where they get their next meal because they get it from my garden. But that’s ok. I can rest easy, eat some mulberry pie, and enjoy the Sabbath. It’s all accounted for in the economy of all things.
No need to worry about a thing. Drought comes to both the just and the unjust. And yet, the seeds I planted will still grow, but mostly because I’ve got a soaker hose.
Stepping Back 