AS FAR BACK as I can remember, I was “gifted” with a vivid imagination. I put that word in quotes simply because I discovered that I could imagine for good or for my gain. Once I experienced the rush of owning that kind of power, I used it nonstop and for both purposes. My parents saw where I was headed with that kind of thinking. As young parents, they first attempted to stifle me with strict discipline.
However, because I was doubly blessed—with an aptitude for strong will (stubbornness)—I viewed discipline as an opportunity for greater creativity. Mom and Dad also saw my propensities as both blessings and curses, and they may have reasoned that my tendencies were an endowment from one or both of them that needed to be pointed in the right direction. I sometimes think that I have always been my own worst enemy.
One day I was disciplined for something I didn’t do, as I recall. My parents each supported the decision of the other. My attempts to tell them why I did what I did were viewed as crimes of attempted lies and reckless arguing. The judge read the sentence and slammed the gavel. The Baliff remanded me to my room.
I didn’t sleep much that night. My cot in the slammer cramped my style. All night I plotted my escape from oppression. I would show them!!! That’s right; three exclamation points. While it was still dark outside, I rose, dressed, and silently slithered out the door. I aimed my bicycle’s headlamp toward Highway 19/120. So as not to be noticed by any of the neighbors and potentially reported, I trekked on backstreets. At last, by the dawn’s early light, I arrived safely at my grandparent’s door.
After I explained the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth to my gentle grandmother, she called my mother to let them know where I was. She offered for me to talk to her on the phone, but I didn’t want to talk to HER. I was moving to be with people who were always nice to me!
I remained with my grandmother most of the day and helped with the chores, but my Dad drove to pick me up after work. As the morning moved toward quitting time, I began to fear that my parents might disown me or that their discipline would be unbearable this time. I worried that they would give me what I deserved.
But how deeply humbled I was when my mother hugged me with tears and told me how lonely her life would be without me. She spoke softly about how worried she and Dad were when they learned I’d crossed busy highways alone in the dark.
I don’t think she ever got over what I did. My Dad never spoke of it. They decided to harness my imagination instead of discouraging it. I do not doubt that required more patience and restraint than I will ever know. They gently nudged my fantasies in a new direction using the power and wisdom of suggestions and reason.
You are reading this today because they succeeded.
I have rough edges still. My Maker isn't finished with me, though I ask every day. I try to imagine how I must look to Him, always testing the limits. He calms me by offering something else to consider, like being stubborn for HIM and being curious about my REAL home.
The apostle Paul wrote of our final destination in word pictures that require more imagination than I will ever have. He appeals to the heart of my curiosity. As we may recall, he, too, was one of those strong-willed children! I appreciate how this rabbi-lawyer-judge-tent maker-Christian apostle painted a beautifully creative picture for every generation to consider until the end of time:
“We know that when our bodies are folded away like tents, they will be replaced by God-made, not handmade ones, and we’ll never have to relocate our “tents” again. Sometimes we can hardly wait to move—and we cry out in frustration. Compared to what’s coming, living conditions around here seem like a stopover in an unfurnished shack, and we’re tired of it! He gives us a glimpse of the real thing, our true home, our resurrection bodies! The Spirit whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what’s ahead. He puts a little of heaven in our hearts, so we’ll never settle for less.” It’s what we trust in but don’t yet see that keeps us going. (2 Corinthians 5:1-5 MSG)
© Copyright 2022, Gary Landerfelt, MyPericope.com
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