Is IT Really That Simple?

 
Twenty-eight years ago, this past July, my son was born. He was ten pounds, eight ounces. Compared to the other infants seen through the viewing window, he was gargantuan. Here’s a sampling of comments I’d hear when standing at that window: “Get a load of King Kong over there” and “Oh, the poor mother.” I have to admit the size of the kid was downright scary. But, he was my boy and I loved him. Still do. Always will.
At the time what scared me most was the responsibility of fatherhood. I thought I had prepared for it. We had chosen a name, Joshua. I even got ahead of myself and the kid – I bought a baseball glove, baseball bat and ball. And just to make sure the bases were all covered, I purchased a football and basketball. Oddly enough, I assumed he would be a San Francisco 49er fan just like his old man and bought a 49er cap. (It’s not so uncommon for first time Dads to jump the gun, as most of you have probably observed.) Even Joshua’s room was ready; complete with crib, changing table, baby dresser and rocking chair for those inevitable sleepless nights. In fact, the room had been ready for a few months. We had thought far enough ahead to arrange for a diaper service, as well. The latter, I thought was a brilliant idea. Most fathers, by the way, think their ideas are brilliant. And, to be candid, my bright idea began to dim with time.
Oh, the diaper service was great, at first. You change the kid’s diaper. Discard the used diaper in a lidded pail partially filled with some sort of miraculous chemical “scientifically” designed to contain both the used diaper and its somewhat toxic aroma for a seven day period. At least that’s what Dan’s Diaper Service claimed… On the seventh day you set the pail outside the front door and by the end of the day fresh diapers along with a fresh pail appear almost magically - kind of like putting a tooth under your pillow and waking up to discover a quarter in its place. I know, I know, there is no tooth fairy and a quarter doesn’t seem like much. But, my mom was the tooth fairy and she was on a budget and when I was losing my baby teeth it was the 1960’s. Anyway, you get the general idea as to how the diaper service worked.
This was a terrific system until Josh became a “Gerber Baby”. When he started consuming food more solid in consistency, that “scientifically” designed pail lost its wonder and the toxic waste that boy produced could no longer be contained. The seven day stretch between pick-up and delivery became five days. Then four days. Then three days and at that point an expense that could no longer be tolerated financially or aromatically.
A new system was called for and being a bright young man I came through with Plan B. Purchase plenty of cloth diapers, a washer and dryer and viola we are on our way. Because my income could not support a new washer and dryer, I opted for a used set.
Now I’ve never been too confident with anything purchased that has been previously used and due to a certain degree of paranoia I decided to stand watch while the washer performed its first assignment. I loaded the washer with the offensive diapers, added detergent, dialed up the heavy duty setting and watched as the washer began to fill.
To my dismay, when the washer was full, nothing happened. Being mechanically astute, I kicked the washer. Nothing happened. Thinking of my budget and costly repairs, I prayed. Nothing happened. Zip. The diapers floated listlessly and the odor emanating from the open washer was now causing my eyes to burn and my nasal passages to feel raw. My heart sank. In a final act of desperation, I plunged my hand into that soupy mess and stirred the diapers around a bit. That last ditch effort to get the washer going changed absolutely nothing. My arm still bicep-deep in the washer, I gagged, pulled free of the washer and ran to the bathroom. You know that old saying, if your hand offends thee? Well. While cleaning up and trying not to lose my all ready consumed breakfast, I came to the stark realization that I was going to have to call in an appliance repairman.
Two hours later a man old enough to be my grandfather arrived. He followed me through the house, toolbox in hand, marching like a man on a mission. When we entered the laundry room, he stated dryly, “Whew, smells like you need a plumber not an appliance repairman.” I winced and said nothing.
He looked at the washer. Turned and looked at me with an odd, “I feel sorry for you, kid” expression on his face, set the toolbox down, reached out and closed the lid on the washer. As if by magic, the washer came to life and started the first cycle.
“Son, you have to close the lid in order for the washer to run,” he stated. “It’s written right here, on the lid.”
Then he added, picking up his toolbox, “No charge. This one’s on me. Boy, just wait until the guys back at the shop hear about this one. I’ll find my own way out.”
Not sure what to say or do I managed to stammer, “Can’t wait. Thanks for coming out.” I’m not sure he heard me. He was too busy enjoying the moment. Funny thing is, after all these years, I still feel the embarrassment that stole over me that afternoon. Could it really have been that simple?
At fifty, if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the simple things in life are the most difficult to grasp. Since the Garden we’ve struggled with the simplest of concepts. In fact, it is the simplicity of God that mystifies us the most. It reminds me of Namaan, leprosy-afflicted, scared for his life and surprised that the cure is a simple bath. He was looking for a magic show complete with laser lights and drum roll. He even thought he had to buy his way into the big show and all he got was, go to the nearest river and take a bath. Is it really that simple?
It’s easy to wrap myself in a blanket of religiosity. Wrapped in that blanket it’s easy to engage in great theological debates regarding the nature of Christ, end time events and a multitude of other doctrinal issues. Wrapped in that blanket I can secret my flaws and struggles. In other words, I can have the look and talk the talk. But, at the end of the day there is no warmth and comfort beneath that blanket. I need something more. Or perhaps I need something simple, something not so complex, like that song some of us learned as kids, “Jesus loves me this I know…” Is that too simple?
Perhaps not – consider this. The simple truth about God that never changes is that He loves us. It is the single most elemental drive behind everything God has done from Creation to the Cross and what motivates Him to be where we are today. That single most important truth about God is so simple we forget it entirely when faced with crisis or calamity. Our first thought is that He doesn’t love us. It’s so simple, we forget He loves us when we’ve been hurt or kicked to the curb by family, loved ones and church. And yet, it is the one thing that God wants us to keep forever locked in our thought processes even to the point that it becomes an essential part of our genetic makeup. Regardless of where we’ve been or not been, what we’ve done or not done, what we’ve become or not become - God loves you and me. Regardless of the label we choose to wear or the one we’ve been given – God loves you and me. Read what He says in Jeremiah 31:3, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness.” He wrote it on the lid of this box we call life in indelible ink – in the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. And simply put it reads, “I love you.”
If I were to write or read a book titled, Getting To Know God, For Dummies, I’d want the first few lines and the last few lines to express what Paul wrote in Romans 8:38-39. Here it is, the Alpha and Omega to knowing God, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” It’s so simple, that this Dummy has forgotten it more often than not and yet, it says so right on the lid. No special toolbox necessary. No standing watch to make sure it works. Just wrap yourself up in the love of God.
 
~ Pastor Al