so long familiar

So long familiar

Yesterday, Buddha was catapulted over the hammock, over the playset, and over the fence, far into the space of woods that separates our yard from the neighbors yard behind us.  We call it the "buffer zone" but ultimately, it's most literally no man's land, as nobody really owns it.  It's just there.  It's a dead space, and it is the perfect final resting place for a little Buddha figurine that travelled 12,500 miles around the world to be with it's owner.  

So here we are, with a new life, a new perspective, a new language, a new family, a new everything, and yes, an old god. 

We do that too, don't we?  We find ourselves in the hands of a passionate savior, indwelled by the king of kings, and an heir to all there could ever possibly be, and we find room for an old god.

When do we say, no more.  When do we say as Joshua so boldly stated, "as for me an my house, we will serve The Lord?"  When do we walk to the backyard of our life and hurl the old god of our life into the buffer zone outside the fence, where forever more it will have no more power over anybody's life?

The one who launched the Buddha into the woods came back into the house, went into the music room, and through tears pointed to the wall and said, "I want that!"

He pointed to a scroll on the wall that we had someone make during our trip to China.  It reads,

"我不撇下你们为孤儿、我必到你们这里来"

It translates, 

"I will not abandon you as orphans!  I will come to you."

We were all born as orphans.  Without a family, and with a hopeless future.  Destined for death, a redeemer has looked upon our hopeless position and has had compassion.  But!  Oh! And here is the best part!  Compassion is only half of the answer.  Just as faith without works is dead, compassion without action falls short of redemption.  And so he did something, didn't he?  He paid the price we couldn't and offers us all there is to have.  Made an heir to all for nothing I could ever do, and it doesn't sit well with me.  That just doesn't make sense.  By this time in my life I have memorized the face of disappointment and it has taught me two things.  To guard myself, and to fear.

Our sons have also memorized the face of disappointment.  Living a life of abandonment and rejection, has given them a certain emotional "street sense", and they are wondering when all of this life, now too, will come to an end.  Instead of surrendering and going all in, they stick their big toe in to test the waters.  And fear grips them, and abandonment lurks at them.  That is why they call our names out in the morning from their beds to see if we are still here in our home, or if we have left.  This is a common practice in our house. But everyday has proven once again, that we remain and love is poured out.

Call to our father daily and listen to how many ways he reassures you that he is still here.  That he has not abandoned you.  That he has come for you, and safely in His presence you reside, basking in the goodness of his Son's gift.

Throw the old god out!  Don't cast it out, only to reel it back it.  Be done with it.  And then go to the wall, look at His promises.  Call out to Him!  He remains!  He is pursuing you.  The one who does not abandon.