Shall we continue the theme of what to do and how to rest in the midst of unexpected circumstances and accelerated life change?
Perhaps you’ve heard the ancient Chinese parable of the farmer whose horse ran off to nearby enemy territory.1 While his neighbors bemoan the loss, the farmer entertains a broader perspective and replies, “who knows if that won’t bring good luck?"
The story unfolds with subsequent events that the neighbors alternately deem as either good or bad fortune—while the farmer continues to remain neutral on whether or not the circumstances are ultimately good or bad:
The loss of the farmer’s only horse is reversed when that horse eventually returns with several wild horses, enriching the farmer. Good luck.
But then, the farmer’s son fractures his leg while trying to tame one of the wild horses. Bad luck.
The narrative (which could zig zag back and forth forever) concludes with 9 out of 10 of the male villagers dying in a battle against invaders, while the farmer’s son is spared due to the fact that his injury prevents him from fighting.
And what is the moral or lesson of this parable?
I’d be curious to know your thoughts.
Over the past 2000+ years, this story has been embellished and adapted for use in the realms of religion, philosophy, business management, and counseling and a quick internet search turns up a wide variety of versions.
Here’s my take away—based on considering recent events and plot twists in our family’s story:
A person could ride some serious ups and downs trying to classify every event that comes along. Without an overall perspective, highs and lows can take on a life of their own, becoming focal points that suck us into the drama of the moment (which is quite different from being present to the moment).
It is good to give thanks and give praise to God, the giver of all good things. It is also complicated when the not so good things come along and we feel like we have to explain them or offer some kind of defense on behalf of God—who is so far beyond our comprehension that the very attempt can create a caricature of him that is anything but helpful for others (let alone ourselves).
What if we hold an overarching perspective grounded in the faith that there is a God who can take what is bad and ultimately redeem it—find a way over the course of our time-bound lives to weave everything into a tapestry that emerges as good and write a conclusion to our story this side of eternity that ushers us into permanent goodness where evil and death are no more and every tear is wiped dry?
I won’t subscribe to neutrality. I will celebrate the good, the graces in the midst of inconvenience and pain.
I will also name evil and tragedy for what it is.
All the while, turning my focus to chose stability through the ups and down as I locate all these things in the big picture perspective—an eye on the final outcome, resting in the faith that God is good and will make good on his promises.
What’s going on in your story right now?
Whatever it is, may you find rest in both the ups and downs.
Alicia
PS—a little window on a few of the things that inspired this one:
Awhile back I mentioned that our car broke down. Inconvenient on many levels, but we were getting ready to give it to someone and Ricardo had prayed a few days prior that if there was something wrong, we would find out and be able to fix it.
The car broke down at the end of the day, on our way home ( two hours away), within a few miles of someone we knew who is also a mechanic. We had the car towed to his place and stayed in a hotel nearby. He lent us a car and had it fixed by early afternoon the next day. We made it home without missing any work. You may recall that we had a low key anniversary—the day before the break down. Happily, the hotel we stayed in was affordable and nice—and the whole experience ended up feeling like part of our anniversary celebration.
I am (right now) on my way back to Charlotte after a lovely 60th wedding anniversary celebration for my parents. They are in their 80’s and for all the blessing of long and meaningful lives, there is no sugar coating the sadness of what is to come.
A few days before departure, plans changed, with Ricardo flying to Ecuador for something that came up—another reminder of life this side of heaven. My free companion fare evaporated with this turn of events and I scrambled to find something affordable at the last minute.
I ended up flying to Seattle and driving with my sister and brother-in-law across the state to my parents’ place. The time at their home in Seattle and traveling together (which included birding stops) was so enjoyable that I just may organize my future trips west through Seattle from now on.
There is so much more I could share—as I am sure there is so much going on in your own life.
Thanks be to God for the good, comfort in the bad, and rest through it all.