Absentee Landlord

Sometimes I imagine that during the process of creating life, God stands over us us and peruses a kind of Chinese menu of qualities then decides what gifts to bestow - intellect, beauty, kindness, quick wit, the love of animals or children or music, height, weight, hair and eye color, good teeth. No one gets everything but we all get small parts so as to keep everything in balance - consequently there are empty people, evil people, fools and idiots. Generosity to one means selfishness to another, if I am blessed with acne, then you are blessed with perfect skin - if you are made to serve, then I am made to be served - all in the name of keeping the scales even and the fragile cosmic equilibrium in place. God does not make mistakes in this process, even one life cut short means another extended, though His motives are never clear and the mystery is never revealed. There are times when faith is the only thing we have to hold onto and we are consumed with doubt, shaken to our very roots by events beyond our control, by loss and pain and death and crisis. Faith is often furthest out of reach when we need it the most. God is a real estate developer, Michelle Shocked wrote, This may be a low rent universe.

My friend, Lindsey, is one of the rare people who can restore my faith just by her presence. She is animatedly pretty with dimples and an infectious smile, a naturally sunny disposition and a joyful love of life that spills out of her like laughter. There is a kindness and gentleness to her manner that she shares like sunshine, it's impossible not to answer in kind, impossible to resist a hug. She sees good all around her, has a passionate love of family
and the instincts of a long term caregiver - self sacrificing, cheerful, idealistic and warm. Not surprisingly, she has chosen a medical career, a profession much in need of her kind of compassion and ideally suited to her needs and gifts, her quick mind and overall sweetness. Those put in her care will be truly fortunate - they will find empathy as well as a friend and someone to share their pain, they will find genuine concern and a guileless, open smile, a pair of gentle but very strong helping hands to comfort them.

Such people are rare and precious and I my faith tells me that God watches over them as they watch over us.

God is a real estate developer
With offices around the nation
They say one day he'll liquidate
His holdings on high
But I say that's all speculation

He may be an absentee landlord
This may be a low rent universe
The roof may need repairs
But at least the floor is there
And the rent is not due til the first

So save one last dance for the Savior
When that final Hail Mary is said
Life is a dancehall
That's why we've got all those
Little Angels dancin' round with pinheads

The Lord Almightly Ltd
And his chosen elect
Sit on the Up on High Development Board
Quoting the Bibe as they hoard
The Good Book has a new look, I suspect

Michelle Shocked