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