The Squirrel

There’s a process and a process – one from host, and one that’s right;
My temptation is instinctive – go for jugular and fight;
But I know that though it’s quicker, and in a short-term does the trick,
In the long-term it’s destructive and effects of it are sick.

Back in olden days my instinct was “react” and “quick engage”;
Take the bully by the collar, let him feel the heat of rage;
Cannot say it was effective as I stomped across the land,
But it jettisoned my fury – like Goliath took my stand.

That was when my giver-gifting was suppressed (though part of me),
’Cause my mom and dad had problems, so that part they could not see;
Then in ’90 I saw clearly, “There’s a giver-side that’s strong”
Like a log shoots to the surface when submerged for far too long.

An encourager is feisty, likes to scrap to get redress,
But a giver-type is cooler, knows it’s best to take a rest,
Think it over, talk to others, find what’s best when faced with sins;
Then in Jesus work His process that for all the kingdom wins.

He said first talk with your brother, get the facts – the other side;
Then address the situation, do not aspects of it hide;
Peace – shalom – is based on the wholeness, let’s all parties be restored,
That we all can then move forward, hearts made whole where grace is poured.

If that does not fix the matter, take a brother, maybe two,
Have a chat, seek resolution, do what’s best for all of you;
If that still does not resolve it, take it to the larger church;
If there’s still no resolution, walk away – the guy’s a jerk.

Lord that’s tougher than mere scrapping, calling names, and getting mad,
For it calls us to surrender all the weapons which are bad;
Rise above the ways this country settles rifts to schisms heal
Move to see folks brought to wholeness so that all might better feel.

Lord, my scrappy side of living is quite healthy, bubbles up,
Though I know a cooler aspect of my being’s not so rough;
Help me settle down inside me, say to Fido, “Go lie down!”
Not let past abusive damage in revenge find fertile ground.

When I walk my way through Scripture I can’t see the printed page,
For the thoughts which well up in me all my feelings now engage;
I get angry when I think how selfish action tripped him up,
For a Senior should know Junior is not half as big and tough.

Though of course I must admit he was the stupid one that day;
If he’d seen what was before him he’d have multiplied his pay;
But his vision was short-sighted, couldn’t see the time of day –
Build a brooder where the hen could lay a stream of Golden eggs.

But I’m hearing as I’m writing, yes the past need’st find redress,
But that’s chicken-feed when looking at potential in the nest;
If we somehow could bring others into body-life today,
Then we all would find that living out our destiny would pay.

Thanks for bringing down my anger, Lord, and quieting my soul,
Though I see it’s now just cynical, contempt is what I show,
Lord I need to drop down further, like my walk the other day,
As I roamed along the river watched the squirrel at his play.

First the squirrel was quite frightened, headed for the nearest tree,
Then I quieted my tension, dropped my stress, so he could see
I did not intend to hurt him, then he stopped, remained quite still –
Turned and ran right up beside me, scurried round as squirrels will.

Lord I learned that from the lady who helped horses who were ill;
Said, “Just quiet down inside you, tune then in, and horses will
Be your friend, and let you fix their aches and pains, whatever else;
Works with people – all God’s creatures – so make quiet inner self.

Help me, Lord to deal with people like this man I need to see;
Make me quiet deep within me; be the man I need to be
To get on with sharing with him what he needs to hear from You,
So we all can have the blessing from Your larger point of view.

Thanks.

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