The Jig is up

The jig is up...or it will be after my parents read this post. First of all, some of you might think I meant to say the gig is up, but you would be illiterate ignoramuses just like I was before my parents pointed out I meant "jig", not "gig". If you have read my book, please cross out the g and insert a J when you find that phrase. Or just buy the paperback out in three weeks. I have done a better job of editing.

Now for the jig itself. My mom always has created lovely gardens and often intersperses zen type rock structures in her little special areas. One of her rock sculptures is of a series of 4 rocks stacked perfectly and harmoniously atop each other. The pinnacle is a small round rock balanced atop a flat cap rock. The middle layer is a 3 hole brick, on its side, so the sculpture looks like a lantern. The problem is the little round rock is forever falling off.

While we were sitting in the living room, Mom pointed out that the round rock had fallen...again.

"I can glue it," I suggested, "We still have some super glue left over from when I made you the reindeer."
"That would be nice," said Mom.

So I rummaged in the basement, found the glue, and hurried outside. It looked like a storm was imminent, but the glue dries quickly.

It was readily apparent where the little round rock was supposed to sit. There was a cleft in the cap flat rock miraculously right in the center. I squeezed a large blog of glue there and placed the little round rock. Then I stepped back and looked at the lovely rock sculpture. It really is an exquisite little creation through such minimal materials.
I knew a little about zen gardens, and later did some internet research to find out about what the use of rocks symbolized. Here is the explanation from wikipedia regarding the care of the rock placement:

"Make sure that all the stones, right down to the front of the arrangement, are placed with their best sides showing. If a stone has an ugly-looking top you should place it so as to give prominence to its side. Even if this means it has to lean at a considerable angle, no one will notice. There should always be more horizontal than vertical stones. If there are "running away" stones there must be "chasing" stones. If there are "leaning" stones, there must be "supporting" stones. "

I loved the description of the mutual roles of the stones. No stone could be placed with an active role like "chasing" unless it was accompanied by a counterpart with an opposite or neutral role, the "running away" in this example. There had to be balance, peace, for every yin; a corresponding yang. Everything was placed such that they balanced and held each other properly in their proper place.

As I feared, a massive storm hit shortly afterwards. We had gone out to lunch and I wondered how the little rock had managed through the storm.

We returned from our car drive and I glanced out at the rocks. The round rock was still atop the cap stone, and the glue must be dry. As Mom and Dad went inside, I went to double check on the firmness of the glue's hold. I paused and blinked... What was that white puddle of stuff that oozed from beneathe the round stone like icing? It was the glue. The glue was solid and secure, and had expanded like rising bread to cup the base of the round stone.

Oh no. So much for harmonious "leaning" and "supporting". The round stone was no longer balancing in exquisite counterpoint to the stability of the base. It was now being shackled in permanent bondage. I don't think this is the message Mom hoped to convey with her zen garden.

I showed Dad.
"The glue will turn black quickly and no one will notice," he said.
But Mom will notice when she reads this post. She will glance out the window as she reaches the critical paragraph, and I suspect for every tear, there will be a harmonious and corresponding chuckle.

So Mom, when you glance at your zen garden, here is the new message. Sometimes we lean on each other, but sometimes we need a firmer hand. Sometimes we need to be in the firm and unyielding grasp of the anchor of our soul. Sometimes balancing hopefully, counting on the gentleness of the wind or the storm, is bound to disappoint. Eventually the wind is harsh, and the storm is violent, and is going to topple us. Sometimes Super Glue is required, and sometimes it is ok if the source of our strength shows.

And I can guarantee that little round rock is not going to fall down any more.

Colossians 1:17 NIV

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4