“Withholding Aid” (Lk.2:52)[Reflections on Ralph D. Sawyer's Translation of One Hundred Unorthodox Strategies - Battle Tactics of Chinese Warfare #73-74]

You help too much, you can destroy –
A growing toddler with his toys
Can learn to grow full stature there,
If we hold back support and care.

A problem solved (within the scope
Of possible) can build the hope
Within – we know success can breed
Success – which for the next, plants seeds.

In book I read – “Entitlement”
Was taken on – both what it meant,
And how to deal with it – I read –
“High bar; with high support”, it said.

One’s “Spirit” (C’hi) Sun Tsu would say,
Is critical to win the day;
So steward it in self and men,
If you in battle would contend.

If you play on it far too much,
Effect will wane – it’s not a crutch,
But extra “Juice”, which, used with skill,
Can gaps in resource amply fill.

The Cree are good at this, I think –
They raise their kids to stop and think;
Give hints obliquely in some yarn,
Then let them fail, no fear of harm –

They see that “getting up once more”
As critical – done once before,
It is recalled; success rolls ’round;
Once they arise from fatal ground.

Lord, satan needs the negatives
like anger; fear; superlatives,
like punishment and shame; with lies,
To spur their troops so death’s despised.

I’m hearing something other here,
As I reverse this set – not fear,
But love, Your love poured out through us
Who’ve died already, raising thus –

A group of people, crucified
As body parts of You, who died
That all might live, be reconciled
To Father-God, in Eden-style.

Your Holy Spirit fills each breast,
As we engage, rise to some test –
Belief, or faith, or love – all three,
As First John letter helps us see.

Lord, thanks for ways You’ve given us
To walk in victory – enough
Arising ’round us as we fight
Against the evil one, to light.

For it makes living here worthwhile;
Each with some task for us a while,
Which You have let us figure out,
And find thereby what life’s about.

That’s so much better for us all,
As we mature – grow straight and tall;
Not bent beneath some heavy load –
Our lives renewed as Scripture holds.

Thanks Lord for this.

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