Lessons from the Mushroom Man

Yesterday my husband and I went for a walk around the lake. It takes us about 1.5 hours to do the 5 miles loop. We talk and enjoy the scenery along the way. It is always a good time together. Mostly, we talk about God, creation, science, prophesy and our blessings. Yesterday, however, was a little different.

We began the walk along the back side of our property. With the rain and moist ground an abundance of mushrooms were erupting – everywhere. They were large healthy mushrooms, some with stalks 2 inches in diameter. Chris and I took note of the wide variety of species, their beautiful gills, strong caps, and were amazed at the force the mushrooms used to push forth from the ground. We talked about photographing them and possibly collecting them to eat after researching toxicity.

After hitting the pavement and continuing on our journey we came to a wooded public park. It was a secluded area without much traffic along the back side of the tennis courts and the marina. We detoured to this spot to gaze at the gorgeous view when someone caught our eye. It was a strange little man who was literally frolicking among the trees. His movements reminded me of Smeegle from Lord of the Rings – hopping or leaping from place to place. He was picking things from the ground, holding treasures gently in his hands.

We quickly realized the man was picking mushrooms. I was curious to know if he was collecting them to eat and if he could shed light on our question about toxicity and eating the fruiting body. I began to walk his way when he bounded my direction. Chris hurried to catch up as the man approached me face to face. He was small in frame, about 45 years old, and shabbily dressed. His eyes were clear, his face animated and his speech un-slurred.

When I asked him his purpose for collecting mushrooms, things became very strange. He did not answer my question right away. Instead he mused over days of old when humans did not wear shoes and could feel the ground beneath their feet. He directed us to look at our feet, asking what was on them. Before we could say “shoes” he expounded, “Feet are covered with synthetic products, plastics, man-made stuff. People don’t walk in the mushrooms anymore and don’t feel their power.” Chris and I exchanged glances and the man continued. “This is the true meaning of Christmas” he espoused. Now we were really confused…..

He rattled on, changing subjects quickly, and we could not get a word in edgewise. He claimed that smearing mushrooms all over your body and breathing the spores was a delightful experience. Ed, as he was called, made these funny gyrations with his legs and pelvis as he spoke. The movements were a combination of Michael Jackson and Elvis. He said he tried eating them but “they are not for eating”. Once again he said the fungi were the true meaning of Christmas, erupting this season so you could feel their magic. This is when I nudged Chris – it was time to leave.

On the rest of our walk, we talked about our encounter with Ed the Mushroom Man. Although it was clear that Ed had some issues, neither one of us took the opportunity to set him straight about the “true meaning of Christmas”. Both of us considered the idea while listening to Ed but did not speak up. Maybe we felt he would not understand in his state of mind. Maybe we did not want to bother. Maybe we felt he was not worth our time. Well, we were plain wrong. An opportunity to reach out to a member of God’s creation passed us by.

Chris and I are taking this peculiar incidence as a learning opportunity. Next time we have the chance to tell someone (anyone) the Good News we won’t let it pass by. Ed clearly needed clarification about Christ (and maybe some other things too) but we did not speak out for the Lord. This was a mistake we pray never to make again. Lessons learned – hopefully learned well.

“Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.” Romans 1:5

God Knows Our Heart

God has blessed our family in so many ways. His hand is so apparent that we can not ignore it. We can not avoid giving him all the credit for wonderful things that have happened. Our latest encounter with grace has us on our knees in thankfulness. God knows our needs - Mt 6:32,33. He hears our prayers and gives us good gifts - Mt 7:11.

My husband and I have been praying for a home. Not just any home but a place where youth in our community can come and be blessed. A place to share the love of Christ while providing a safe and fun environment for youth. A hang-out, of sorts, with activities, music, and food. A home for both youth and adult Bible study. A home that serves God and is used for his purpose.

We found that ideal home over 2 years ago. It was the perfect spot but financially unattainable for us. So we kept looking for another place and praying. Every home we saw was compared to the perfect spot. Nothing quite measured up.

Meanwhile, this favorite location went off the market and became a rental. Although we thought it would come on the market again someday, the price would still be out of reach. We kept shopping, comparing everything to our dream home, and walking away unsatisfied. About 2 months ago my husband said, "I dont want to buy anything until our dream home is gone." The place was just too perfect for our youth group plan.

Well, the Lord works in mysterious ways. A week after my husband made that proclamation we received a phone call from a retired realtor. She told us the home would be hitting the market again in the near future. So we contacted the owner and worked out a palatable deal. We had an accepted offer in hand 1 day prior to the home listing. It went up as sale pending.

We close on this house today.

Thank you Lord for hearing our prayers. Thank you for knowing our hearts. Keep us accountable for doing your will. Help us use the home for your purpose and your good will. Thank you Jesus. Amen

A Parent's Heart

I sent another kid out into the world today. It is never easy. I am worried and concerned about what life will throw at her. I am watchful and hopeful that she makes her way easily. My only solace comes from Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

If I gave her a Christian foundation and taught her God’s Word, I have planted seeds well.

Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:7

She will make her way, stumbling at times, but she knows the path. If I have instilled His truth in her heart, I can let her go, knowing the Holy Spirit is at work. I can’t do any better than that.

But letting go still gave me a heart ache – a deep ache as I said good bye, came back to her empty room, and counted one less in the nest. God’s heart must feel that way when we stray (leave). A parent’s heart beats strong for the child it created.

I have a newfound perspective on God and appreciation for Him. I can not imagine how much it must hurt when God’s children choose eternal separation.

What are you wearing?

I cleaned out the kid’s closet and drawers today. Actually it took me two days. I can’t believe the mess they make. No, I can believe it. I found underwear in the shirt drawer, bathing suits in the pants drawer, and a whole slew of MY socks mixed in with theirs. (I always thought the dryer ate them). It was a ridding out process; throwing away the jeans with holes and donating clothes that were too small to a worthy cause. But it was also an opportunity to talk with the kids about what they wear.

Natalie will only wear something that looks fashionable. She carefully lays out her daily selection, fussing over the colors and matching styles. She may even change her outfit numerous times during the day. I reminded Natalie that it is not unscriptural for a woman (or girl in this case) to want to be attractive, but that beauty begins on the inside. Paul said in 1 Timothy that Christian women “should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to them selves” and that women “should make themselves attractive by the good things they do.” In Paul’s letter to the church at Colosse he tells us we must clothe ourselves with “tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” We are told that the most important piece of clothing is love.

Sometimes we all put on the wrong clothes. Paul said we should put on mercy first; our underwear if you will. Next we don kindness; our shirt that covers our heart. Then humility; our pants or the way we walk. We put on a coat of gentleness and our hat of longsuffering. All these articles of clothing are fashioned to enrich our lives. But even with all this we are not completely dressed until we put on love.

Fortunately, each new day brings an opportunity to begin anew. So, what are you wearing today? I'm going to change my clothes.