Don't Tell My Wife!

April 22^nd was Earth Day.  I’ve mentioned before that I have a “green streak,” and it’s gotten stronger over the years.  So when a bird makes a nest in my garage, perched on my step ladder, I’m going to leave it alone.  Even if it means I can’t use that ladder for a few months.  And it means the birds poop on my wife’s car.  Which she hates.  But I’m all for letting Mother Nature adapt to my garage which means I need to learn to adapt to Her as well.  I haven’t told her we have a nest in the garage or she’d try to “relocate” it.  That never ends well… for the birds.  Which is why I haven’t told her.  So please don’t tell her.  [If you want to know how the story ends… read to the end.] 

            In our Gospel this Sunday (John 10:1-10), Jesus says that he came to be the Gate for the sheepfold and to be our Good Shepherd so that we “may have life and have it abundantly” (vs. 10).  More and more, I find joy in nature and feel a need to be more mindful of it in my decisions and behavior—hence letting birds nest in my garage.  I’ll never be a green thumb, but I’ll try to plant as many native growing things in my yard to beautify it and benefit all of God’s creatures that depend on me being “ecologically conscious.”  Why?  Because it contributes to me feeling that “abundant life” that Jesus promises.  And that “abundant life” also means not being selfish towards God’s World.

            A lot of Jesus’ incredible, grace-full, loving promises come with an implicit judgment—which we don’t like.  Who wants to be judged?  But Jesus’ way of being the Gate and the Shepherd judge all the other ways we try to have “life and have it abundantly” without Him.  It’s not hard to see the effects of those other “ways” that we think will promise life but end up being false promises.  LIFE, that really is life (I Timothy 6:19) is a GIFT—that’s worth a little inconvenience for the sake of the environment.  LIFE—in relationship with others—will mean some flexibility and selflessness on my part, to not always insist on my own way.  There will always be a need for boundaries; Stephanie drew one with birds in the garage.  And I know better than to insist. 

            By the way, yesterday after work, she grabbed that stepladder to clean out some gutters.  So much for the nest….

Peace,

Pr. Christian