Life Matters - August 20, 2025
The blood-curdling scream piercing the North Carolina piney woods from the direction of the house jerked my head upright from whatever I was tinkering with in the shop. Another scream and my feet went from zero to overdrive in a split-second flat toward the sound of distress. As I burst out of the woods in front of the house, my wondering eyes fastened upon daughter Erma, a garden hoe extended above her head with the handle firmly grasped in both hands. Another scream. The hoe descended sharply, striking the already churned up reddish soil of the flower bed.
‘’What’s wrong Erma?” I hollered as my still wondering eyes took in more of the scene. Laura was standing close by, a little white for her, but wait, was there a hint of amusement?
Erma hollered back, “A snake!” My eyes furtively searched the mown grass, the flower bed, and among the nearby trees. “Where?” said I, staring at the spot she pointed at. “There!” she insisted. That’s when I saw it. Something that oddly resembled a piece of snake protruding from the disturbed soil. “Was it a cottonmouth?” I asked as I knelt and poked around for inspection.
‘’I don’t know” said a now calm Erma. I tried seeing for myself. There wasn’t much recognizable. Screaming bloody murder, Erma had bloody murdered the snake; besides giving it an indecent burial! The snake, whatever kind it used to be, was sure enough dead.
That was two and a half decades ago and daughter Erma is a calm, gracious, and graceful mother of four of our lovely grandchildren plus her and Justin’s heart-children. Erma is also non-resistant. Most of the time. Get between her and her sisters – like the hapless snake – or between her and her children and I ain’t promisin’ nothin’! You’re on your own… Getting past me won’t be any picnic neither.
There is a spirit within each one of us that is naturally protective of those we love and feel responsible for; is there not? Especially of those we feel closest to, those we call loved ones, those we call family, those who reciprocate and reflect the love we have in our heart for them, there is no pain too great, no discomfort too unbearable, no danger too much, to ensure the immediate or eventual deliverance and safety of those we love. The most. Especially for men, the natural protectors, is this the case. In a healthy society, that is.
In an unhealthy society? Men become lovers of their own selves. As in 2nd Timothy 3:1-4 “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men (women assumed into the context) shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. Without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good. Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.”
In an unhealthy society, men’s and women’s attention turns inward, to one’s own self-centered desires, likes and dislikes, wants and not wants. But in all that, none of us can escape the need to feel productive, of worth, that our life has value, we have purpose and goals.
The reality that porn addicts, drug addicts, and alcoholics, often end up in the ‘gutter’ does not negate the inner need to be productive, a need that alcoholics and addicts prove by their own resolution ramblings when sober. None, I daresay, started down this road with self-degradation as the ultimate goal. Excuses are inherent to addiction cultures.
In an unhealthy society men and women want to feel better than others by identifying and attacking those they deem to be responsible for the ills of society, domestic or civil. Strong opinions and judgements, violating those who get in the way, hatred in its many expressions, being unthankful, but lovers of pleasures, are hallmarks of ill societies. Inner reflection is needed when considering where problems lie. God help us.
Jesus showed us the best way. To love Him more than we love ourselves. To love others equally as we love ourselves. (Matthew 22:34-40, Mark 12:28-34)
There are few experiences so painful, yet few so liberating, as giving up on our own lives for those we love and who love us in return.
Jesus did more than that. He laid down His life – gave His life equally – for those who hated Him as well as for those who loved Him. He instructed us to do likewise. (Luke 10:25 – 37) He gave His life for those in trouble.
The pain of such spirit exercise leads ultimately, and personally, to liberation. Love, and forgiveness, in Christ, sets the spirit free. Free to face the ‘snakes’ of the world, whether personal or societal. Let freedom ring!
Life Matters!