No, not the state of conflict (although they are fond of fighting, too), they love to play the card game called "War". This is a new game to them, and they took to it like fish to water (or Democrats to Congress, whichever works).
The thing they enjoy most about this mind-numbingly simple game, is that every single card laid down is like a little battle. There is the suspense of not knowing what's in your hand, not knowing whats in the other guy's hand, and if you should both lay down the same card... well, it can get pretty exciting. Even with the triumph of victory or the agony of defeat available about every five seconds, I thought they would still tire of the game, as most of us did about the third time we played with our dads, but these guys- they just love it.
They argue and laugh and cheer and scream with each new card laid down- but most of all, they accuse each other of cheating at every turn. This was strange to me- I thought, surely they just dont understand how to play, until I realized that every one of them was pointing at the other and screaming "tramposo!"- mainly because every one of them was cheating. When they would win a high face card, they would slide it to the front of the deck and play it more often. Some would play from the bottom of the deck- others would just steal the cards, even if they didn't win, hoping the other guy wasn't paying enough attention. Under these conditions, the game is less about the cards, and more about who is better at cheating.
As I watched this, I couldn't help but picture God shaking his head in frustration as we sit at the table of Grace, pointing our fingers at our brothers in Christ- with an Ace under our sleeve. Because my sin is less ugly than yours- because my worship is more "first century" than yours - because our reading of the scripture is "closer" than yours- none of this makes a true difference, because in the end, we all have to admit that we are all outside of the rules of the Game. Where the Law is concerned, being more or less of a cheater doesn't earn you anything.
It's crazy, but only when we start to point those fingers at ourselves and see our own helplessness to play by the rules- that's when we start to win.
Thank you, Father, for seating tramposos like us at the table of your Grace.
2 comments:
Dear ones-
I LOVE your blog---THANK you for keeping us updated AND for sharing SUCH TRUTH in your words today!!!
Keep it coming. We miss you!
As usual, your blog blows me away. It's not often I am unable to find words, but that's what happens when I read the story of your lives in the DR. I can only say thank you, thank you, thank you for what you are doing.
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