to make tea, I, of course, said: “No, thanks,
go to some trouble Go ahead,
By Michael T. Lembke S
toryteller Garrison Keillor has us Lutherans pegged. He infers that we will rarely ask anyone to go to any trouble on our behalf; we put up with marginal food and mediocre service; and we don’t go in for much “flash” in presentation. But from time to time I advise myself and others “to go to some trouble.” Rather than efficiency and cost containment, some moments call for blatant extravagance in time, tal- ent or treasure. I recently hosted a thank-you lun- cheon for my wife, Nancy, and three other women who provide counsel-
Lembke, an ELCA chaplain, recently served as the U.S. Forces-Iraq chaplain in Baghdad.
ing and therapeutic care to soldiers and their family members. What a joy it was to go to some trouble for four ladies who have given so much to the central Texas military community. “Go to some trouble” thinking is in line with the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume (John 12:3). Not all the time, but every now and then it’s worthwhile for everyone involved to go to some trouble and provide full hospitality to people.
Never going to any trouble cheats
us all. An attitude of convenience and minimizing is restrictive and transitory. While in Iraq I would visit on-base vendors of rugs and jewelry. Once, when a proprietor offered
12 The Lutheran •
www.thelutheran.org
don’t go to any trouble.” Thank- fully he insisted until I said yes. And what a grand and simple time of fellowship we enjoyed. Thereaf- ter, I always said yes to tea and we enjoyed the moment.
Going to some trouble is usually most expensive time-wise. Using the good dishes, folding napkins, polishing serving trays and dishes, sprucing up the place ... these all take time. So does extending a glance to the left or right as we cruise down the street. We’re open- ing ourselves up to the “trouble” in which others might find themselves. Our Lord took the time. He went to the trouble of asking questions, healing and dealing with contro- versy in order to demonstrate the trouble God was willing to go to on our behalf.
During my redeployment time,
I’ve learned that “troubling” myself for the sake of others is helpful in many ways. First, it’s fun. Then, too, it slows me down and offers new perspective. It allows the perfume of extrava- gance to waft over the disappoint- ments and shortfalls of day-to-day existence.
I understand, sometimes you have to use paper plates, eat on the run, handle a meeting by email or hit the drive-through. But I encour- age you: actively seek those pre- cious moments of “going to some trouble.”
See what a beautiful anointing we can receive.
DESIGNPICS
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