Cover Up

This is not what Grandma was wearing

I don’t own a leaf blower but a couple of my friends do.  I find them noisy and obnoxious (leaf blowers, not my friends).  But if I did own a leaf blower, I’m pretty sure I would wear pants while operating one.  Pants and sturdy shoes because you never know when something is going to go wrong when using machinery.  I think it was my dad who taught me that.   

I was walking to the car from the Saturday farmers market in a sea side town when I heard the leaf blower.  The neighborhood I was in has a funky mix of residential buildings dispersed amongst its downtown core, so I wasn’t surprised to hear the machine in the background as I passed an insurance office, an elderly man on his front porch and a set of town homes.  My family ambled along, sharing conversation as we rounded the corner.  Looking down the street we saw a woman blowing leaves off her yard and sidewalk directly in front of our car.  She was in her late 60’s, tanned and grandma looking, crinkly and round.  You might find those remarks personal, but so was the very small black bikini she was sporting as she swung her leaf blower to and fro, adding the dimension of vibration to her already striking form.  

“Oh my goodness,” my youngest whispered.

“That is a lot of good news!” offered another. 

“Ahhhhh!” My husband had lowered his head and was marching resolutely to the car as if he didn’t notice the mostly naked grandma brandishing her gas operated leaf blower right in front of his minivan.  I was utterly gobsmacked.  I had no words, I was stuck by equal parts admiration and embarrassment and the overwhelming sense that grandma should be wearing pants…and perhaps a top…and sensible footwear.  

She looked up, her ample smile matching her ample…ness.  “I’m afraid my van is in your way,” I offered by way of conversation.  I was trying not to stare but failing miserably.  “Not at all honey,” she replied and sauntered 20 feet back toward her porch.   Trying not to watch her leave, I wondered whether I needed to rethink my perception of senior citizens.  I concluded that I did and made a mental note to buy myself a bikini for my 70th birthday.  A bikini and a bottle of scotch.  

As I sit here a day later, I’m stuck with the task of trying to turn my run in with a mostly naked grandma into some form of spiritual reflection and to be honest all I can say is that I was astonished by grandma’s lack of embarrassment, regardless of it being good or bad.  

What a gift to be at peace with one’s failings and flaws, to put aside the need to cover up shortcomings and pretense.  One of the traits of a mature believer is their acknowledgment of sin and their transparency.  The mature believer has learned the cross is a place of security and mercy as opposed to needing to feign righteousness for fear of being discovered.  What freedom comes with realizing that our sin has been covered by the astonishing sacrifice of Jesus the Christ.

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.  If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.  If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John 1: 5-10  

So I am praying for us this week my friend.  That when it comes to our weakness, God might uncover our hearts and reveal the truth of his mercy and kindness.  And where bikinis and dimples are concerned we might feel free to cover up just a wee bit.  

Enjoy a sunbeam this week,

xoxKaren