Butchers, Bakers, et al

Cows never struck me as being particularly thoughtful. But maybe they are, given Webster's definition of 'to ruminate': 1) chewing the cud; and 2) to meditate or reflect. Those cows must be thinking about something with all that cud chewing. Ruminations is the name of this column, and cud chewing pretty much sums up its purpose. To take some aspect of faith and chew on it a bit.

For better or worse, these reflections will be autobiographical. Not because I see myself as a fountain of wisdom, but because I have been most moved by writers like Frederick Buechner and Henri Nouwen, who were and are willing to speak of their own experiences. It was Nouwen who said, 'what is most personal is most universal'. I believe that to be true. The cud I chew will be my own. Hopefully some of it will speak to you.

Is My Soul 'Work-Weary' ?

There are times however, when work does feel bone-deep wearying, times when the fatigue is more than a good night's sleep can cure. That kind of weariness comes when my work feels irrelevant. It is when what I'm doing just doesn't seem to matter that I am most work-weary.

Sometimes prayer feels trite, a visit was simply role-playing, and the sermon wasted everyone's time, mine included. Those are the times I feel work-weary. It's not working hard that makes me tired; it's working hard coupled with that most difficult two word question, 'so what?'

There are times when I question whether this whole Christianity thing is true or real. As Frederick Buechner wrote, "...I am also a fabricator, and I am willing to believe that the whole business of God in my life may be something I fabricated out of my need for solace and adventure...Maybe it is all just a dream. Maybe none of it is true except in some wispy sense of true for me..." (The Alphabet of Grace)

Visiting At Work

Mary works at a florist and is making sure the Easter lilies are coming along. Steve is doing quality control for a computer company, so that when I get my new computer, there is a better chance that it will act as it's supposed to act. (I get irate when my computer doesn't do what it is supposed to do. Since my visit with Steve I have been aware of how often it does do what it is supposed to do.) Kathy is checking on her patients in the hospital, balancing medical care, emotional support, and managed care issues with grace. Rick builds doors that not only fit well, but are pleasing to the eye. Sue teaches and coaches. Bob publishes journals that record research findings in the fight against epilepsy, cancer, and alcoholism. On tap are visits with stay at home parents, receptionists, artists and project managers.

I usually drive away from these visits with a sense of gratitude. These people are salt and light in the world. They are ministers to the world, and we are all better off because of their labor.

Celebrate "Salt" and "Light"

But if Hallmark really wants to make some money, I suggest they start 'Salt and Light in the World Appreciation Days'. I'd buy cards every day of the week for all kinds of people. But for now, this will have to do. Thanks to all of you, butchers, bakers, candlestick makers, for what you do. Thank you florists, computer programmers, teachers, typists and managers. In countless small ways, you minister to me and to the world--and your care is a tonic for the work-weary soul.

Doug Wysockey Johnson is pastor of Jericho Covenant Church near Burlington VT.