As much as I enjoyed reading the book, it was the tag that intrigued me. Time and again, I returned to her note and the shiny painted flowers on the back. My mind churned. What was there about this tag that called out to me? Thoughts bubbled to the surface.
Our lives are controlled by tags, or at least influenced by them. Tags are everywhere:
• Tags for luggage, tags for identification, price tags, tags for washing instructions, tags for sizes, tags on foodstuffs, gift tags, sales tags, dog tags, gurney tags, toe tags, healthcare tags, tags for gardening, tags for equipment, fertilizer tags, warning tags and status tags for every substance, action, and product in the world.
Wouldn't it be great, if there were tags for how to live your life?
Tags for newborns might read:
• "Fragile -- handle with care," or "feisty when wet, change often." Or how about "stubborn and willful -- requires coaxing," or "prone to temper tantrums -- distract if possible."
Tags for teenagers might suggest:
• "Prickles when angry -- hug anyway," or "count to ten and listen, really listen," or "sasses back when cornered -- don't argue, just walk away."
Newlywed tags might stave off marital grief:
• "Requires lots of attention -- likes to be pampered" or "sleeps soundly -- wake up gently" or "thinks taking out the garbage is a man's job -- just do it," or "listen closely -- it might be a test."
As I pursued this line of thinking, I realized we already have tags for living, and they cover every facet of human life. Of course, I'm referring to the Bible, but most particularly to the book of Proverbs.
There are mini-instructions for raising children, being a good spouse, a good neighbor, a hard worker, a faithful follower. Here are some familiar ones:
• "A person who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue.
• "A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret." (Prov. 11:13 NIV)
• "Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house; too much of you, and he will hate you." (Prov, 25:17 NIV)
And what about all those frivolous law suits?
• "Do not testify against your neighbor without cause or use your lips to deceive. Do not say, I'll do him as he has done to me; I'll pay that man back for what he did." (Prov. 24:28 NIV) This tag is a variation on the message Jesus gave to treat others the way we would want to be treated.
There's even a tag to help us avoid financial disaster as we try to "keep up with the Jones's:"
• "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones." (Prov. 14:30 NIV)
Last but by no means least, there are instructions about government leaders; those politicians who hold our lives in their hands:
• "A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but in his heart he harbors deceit. Though his speech is charming, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly." (Prov. 26:24-26 NIV)
We can only hope that the "assembly," the press and the people will do their job and expose the hypocrisy of each and every politician.
Todays blog included excerpts from an article by Carol Allen Anfinsen titled: "Tags for Living." If you would like to read this article in its entirety, go to http://blogz.org/ or http://BlogzOrg.Ning.com/blogs
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