July 8, 2007
Luke 10:1-20
“Worn Sneakers And Thick Skin”

[Pastor enters wearing an apron and drying hands with a dish towel, with a slight southern accent…]

Lord have mercy!  What are you children doing back in the house?  I told you all, stay out and enjoy the day.  It's so beautiful outside.  Mercy me, do you ever listen to your old mother?  And get your noses out of that icebox!  It wasn't an hour ago that I fed you lunch, and dinner'll be on the table before you know it.  Go on, get on your way, skidaddle!

I don't know what's got into those children.  But then, they're like this all the time.  It could be next to paradise outside, and they want to hang around the house like there was nothing better to do.  There's so much to do for kids outside, especially on a farm like ours.  Why there's lots of open pasture to run in, a devoted collie who always wants to play, fences to climb, chicken to chase and pigs to annoy.  Not to mention a few chores that always need to be done.  But playing is just as sacred as work is, I believe, and God can do just as much teachin' through play as through labor.

But no, they gravitate indoors, like they were allergic to the sun.  It's that god-forsaken electronic babysitter they've gotten so used to.  First they come into the kitchen beggin' for a glass of water.  Then they slowly wind their way to the living room, cause it's cooler there, they say.  Then before you know it they're sittin in front of the boob tube glossy eyed and all.  You know, they are just like those disciples of Jesus, hangin' around him like there was nothing better to do.  A whole wide world out there, but no… they gotta linger round him, watching and waiting.

Can't say as how I blame the kids for wanting to be in this house.  Its not a palace, but it is pretty nice, if I do say so myself.  Thank God for parents and grandparents who made sure it was here and in good condition when I was ready to take it over.  And I intend to make sure it's still around when I'm gone.

But it is beautiful, isn't it.  I can understand why they'd want to hang out here, seeing as how pretty it is.  Takes lots of work to keep it this way, you better believe it.  It's not always the cleanest place around.  My mother had a plaque on her wall that I always take to heart.  “This place is clean enough to be healthy and dirty enough to be happy!”  Ain't that the truth!

But there's more hear than beauty.  I think the kids like to be inside because this is the place where people come to feel at home.  We're proud of that in this house.  Hospitality is something we take seriously.  It doesn't just happen.  You have to know how to welcome people, get to know them, make them feel comfortable and safe.  The kids like to be inside because of the fellowship that happens here.  They know they are respected, cared for, seen for who they are: a beloved child of God.  This house is where love is found, and everybody wants to hang around Love's house, don't you?

Beauty, fellowship, and good solid Christian values.  The boys and girls will never ever admit to it, but they like this place because we honor the Bible here, and try to live the life that Christ taught us.  No, we're no Bible thumpers, preachin' hellfire'n'brimstone.  We just think that the Word of God is just too darn important to either leave it to the preachers or to check your brain at the door. Here's where we gather for a good, spirited discussion of what those printed words on a page are supposed to mean in our daily lives.  I can't blame them for wanting to be here… they don't want to miss a thing when we're opening up Holy Scripture to the power of prayer and good Christian conversation.  Why, even I can't stay in the kitchen long enough to get the lemonade made when a good debate on Paul's letter to the Ephesians or a devotional on Psalm 50 is going on!

Let's be honest, now.  We're among friends.  Yes, this house is mighty beautiful, and it's a wonderful place for fellowship and learning… but the real reason that brood of mine can't stay outside for any amount of time is the food.  Food, wonderful food.  If you want anything to draw 'em in, just provide food.  Potluck dinners to die for!  Meals around important life events, like after a wedding or a funeral.  But there's no better meal than the one that happens at the table where the Lord presides as master of the feast.  The food at that table might not be terribly filling, but it is more fulfilling than any feast I could ever prepare.  They like to be inside this house because of the food of life we serve.

Now, I know what you're thinking.  I'm not a simpleton nor a Pollyanna.  I know there are dangers outside.  I've been around the block enough to know you can't just send kids out without teachin' them a thing or two about how to be safe.  Lord knows, there's some mighty dangerous things they could get into on a farm. Farm equipment can be mighty dangerous, and a swift kick from one of our milk cows will not be soon forgotten.  Then, unfortunately, we live in a day when threats aren't always so subtle.  There are people out there looking to make trouble for you, and kids don't always have the smarts to see that a kind face and a nice word doesn't always mean a pure heart.

But eventually you have to realize that if you haven't taught them well in here, then no matter what you say or do they won't be safe out there.  Or, better to say if you have taught them well in here, they'll do as best they possibly can out there.  You can't protect your kids from everything, but you can try to live life well and let your children see you in good times as well as bad, so they'll know at least how one good person handles life, in all its many guises.  Just like Jesus with those 70 disciples, he taught them to be ready for those who would receive them, as well as those who'd have nothing to do with them.  Prepare them at home as best you can, and then love 'em like nobody's business, and they'll do just fine outside.

So, after me spoutin' off my mouth like this, I've got myself to thinking.  Isn't this a bit like what God wants from us.  We hang around this beautiful, wonderful home enjoying the fellowship and the good food, then we come to realize, we need to get out.  We need to be out there, with the people, doing the work to which God calls us, but also just playing… having fun as God's beloved children, and lettin' the world see what it means to follow Jesus.

So go on now, get on your way!  I really don't know why you're hanging around here.  Nice and all, but you need to go.  Get a move on, I haven't got all day.  And it's a bright and beautiful day out there.  Skidaddle!  You heard me!  There's a lot of living to do, and you just can't do it sitting in here.  Be gone with you!


Rev. Allen V. Harris
Franklin Circle Christian Church
www.FranklinCircleChurch.org


 

Copyright 2007 -- The Rev. Allen V. Harris

Franklin Circle Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

1688 Fulton Rd., Cleveland, OH 44113-3096