Enough to Share.

           

             Whenever blueberry season starts I end up picking a small cup of under-ripe berries with this unfounded fear that I cannot afford to miss one berry.  So for those first weeks I am like the main character in Robert McCloskey’s Blueberries for Sal, with a small tin cup I pick and drop “Ker-plink, Ker-plank, Ker-plunk!” 

             I grumble under my breath when I pick berries with noticeable nibbles.   Yet when I watch the birds on the branches I am in wonder, I am in awe and I am grateful I have enough to share with them.  That is the truth, in spite of my early pickings, in spite of the birds and chipmunks—did I mention the chipmunks?  In spite of all of God’s creation sharing these berries with me; there is enough.  I know that within two weeks I will have enough to eat a bowl with cream for breakfast, to bake a cake with and I know that by the end of summer I will have several bags full in my freezer.  I know there will be enough for our grandchildren to pick, eat and even drop without concern. 

            We are funny creatures to worry about what we know we have enough of, to hang on tight to what we were always meant to share.  When something is precious to us we tend to hang on tight rather than let go.  Sometimes it is hard to share what and even who we love with others, maybe especially who we love.  In the sharing we may fear some sort of loss, as if someone could become less valuable the more he or she is shared.  Could it be that this is why it is so hard to share Jesus, God, and our faith with others? 

            When I think of the people who have encouraged me, not just those who were suppose to, but the teachers, co-workers, faith community members and even the cashier at a local market; when I think of them I know that I am just one of many who benefited from their good nature, smiles and love. 

³⁷ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? ³⁸ And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? ³⁹ And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ ⁴⁰ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family,^[a] you did it to me.’ 

Matthew 25:37-40

                Summertime in Maine is a great time to share God’s good creations with others; it may also be the perfect time to practice sharing Jesus and our faith with others without the fear of loss or not having enough but rather with the knowledge of more to come.  One day late in the summer I will pick my last berry, I will also know that Spring is right around the corner—even in Maine.

“He drew a circle that shut me out-
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle and took him In!

Outwitted by Edwin Markham