"Victims of War" 18x24 acrylic on canvas (in Juried Show) |
My daughter, Holly, mailed me her favorite book. Inside was a colorful gift tag
splattered with flowers; and on the reverse side, a handwritten note telling me
how much she loved me, and that she hoped I would enjoy reading the book. The
tag became my bookmark as I turned page after page, thinking of her.
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, health care tags, tags
for gardening, tags for equipment, fertilizer tags, warning tags and status
tags for every substance, action, and product in the world.
"Prayer Circles" 18x24 acrylic on canvas (in Juried show) |
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 may 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 could 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."
"Innset Kirke" 16x20 oil on canvas (SOLD), Prints available |
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:
·
"Train up a child in the way he should
go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." (Prov. 22:6 NIV)
·
"He who spares the rod (correction)
hates his son (or daughter), but she who loves her children is careful to
discipline them." (Prov. 13:24 NIV)
·
"Discipline your child, for in that
there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death." (Prov. 19:18 NIV)
Remember the newlywed tags I proposed? Try this
proverbial advice:
·
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a
hard word stirs up anger." (Prov. 15:1 NIV) Good advice for an argument
over how to squeeze the toothpaste or hang the toilet paper.
How about this marital gem:
·
"A patient man (or woman) has great
understanding, but a quick-tempered person displays folly." (Prov. 14:29
NIV)
Quarrels over sex and money are the main reasons many
couples get divorced. The antidote?
·
"He who guards his mouth and his tongue
keeps himself from a calamity." (Prov. 21:23 NIV)
Add the turmoil of alcoholism to the mix, and you triple
the trouble.
·
"Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;
whoever is led astray by them is not wise." (Prov. 20:1 NIV)
"India Rising -- the Found" mixed media on 18x14 canvas |
Proverbs has countless tags for being a good neighbor:
·
"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)
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.
"Sand Crane Dreams" 18x24 mixed media on canvas |
Some people say: "God doesn't talk to us today. He
turns a blind eye to disaster and allows good men and women to suffer. If there really were a God, wouldn't he
protect us and keep us safe? Why is he so silent? Why doesn't he tell us what to do?"
Hello? All you
have to do is pick up the book -- "The Book!" Read the words
of God. Turn the pages. Follow the tags or mini-instructions God has already
given. Apply the information. As
Sherlock Holmes once quipped: "It's elementary, my dear Watson."
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