I have needs.
Like every human being, I require physical nourishment, cloth to cover my body, protection from the elements, and some form of nurturing. When these essential components are present, which of course they always are, I am able to survive.
Beyond this, some would say nothing could classify as a “need”. However, my goal in life is not just to survive.
And so, I have a second tier of needs. Certain things that facilitate an environment in which I can thrive. When these “necessities” are met, I feel like a whole person. I feel content with my existence.
I need God. I need His Word. I need my husband and children. I need good health, music, a clean home, and sunshine {at least occasionally}.
And I need to create. To produce. To offer something of myself.
After having a baby, it takes me a while to reclaim that identity, to feel like a complete human again.
God is always constant, as is my family. But the others are not so automatic. Of these, the two that seem to make the biggest difference are my health and feeling like I am contributing something to the world around me.
Lately, my world seems very small. At some point, I hope it will expand beyond the walls of my home and the two mile driving circumference that includes our church building, Wal-mart, Costco, and Hobby Lobby. But for now, my circle of influence is rather limited.
This sometimes makes for easy feelings of expendability.
In an effort to avoid such unpleasant evocations, I have developed somewhat of a nervous habit of making stuff. Some call it crafting. I think of it as a tangible way to feel as though I am being fruitful or productive. It satiates that most basic of needs in order to approach a sense of thriving.
A few weeks ago I decided to add to and upgrade our Easter decor, prompted first by the urgent desire to give our giant egg a makeover.
Old egg: plasic, commercial, purple.
New egg: Ahh, that’s better:).
And then, of course, since the mod-podge was out…a few more ideas pleasantly ensued.
A couple of new banners.
Some friendly burlap carrots.
A collection of glammed up eggs.
Pom-pom garland.
New frame for a lovely print.
A new home for some old favorites.
And finally, a nature inspired wreath for inside the front door.
Thank goodness for nap time!
Crafting with three littles at home has a way of lengthening out a project, that is for sure. But as I worked through each one, it also gave me a chance to think about how I would prepare Holy Week this year. What emphases would I place for each day? What stories would I share? What lessons would I attempt to instill?
Last night the boys opened our giant egg to find five pictures of a temple, one for each of them to keep in their rooms, and…fig newtons.
The temple pictures of course corresponded with Mark’s account of Jesus’ cleansing of the temple in Jerusalem. We discussed the importance of keeping our lives clean and pure so that we can be worthy of the blessings of the temple and also be prepared for the Second Coming of the Savior. The latter part of that concept is also connected to the second item in the egg, the fig newtons.
The cursing of the fig tree is an often overlooked event that occurred on the day following Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Indeed, in Mark’s account only three brief verses tell the story:
Mark 11:
12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:
13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.
14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.
In Matthew’s account the tree dies immediately, giving Christ an opportunity to illustrate the power of faith to those with him. In this account, however, Mark has the withering of the tree occur the next day when Jesus and his disciples pass by the tree again, leaving space for more thought in interpreting the curse. So many applications can be used in this story, but one in particular has caught my attention as of late.
Christ is hungry and in need of nourishment. Although he knows what time of year it is and that the trees shouldn’t have figs yet, he still hopes that the tree he spots, which apparently appears to be full, will bear fruit for him in the moment of his need. But there is no fruit. His hunger is not filled. And there follows Jesus’ seemingly uncharacteristic curse.
The lesson here is profound to me.
What kind of tree am I? Do I appear to be full and abundant, yet at closer observation prove fruitless? Am I ready to serve the Lord at all times, in the very moment He has need of me? Have I prepared myself with the proper use of my time and talents so that when called upon I can actually act and be useful to Him?
In pondering these questions, I cannot help but think of the fruits that I produce in my life. While I do love to craft items for my home that will beautify it and create a festive environment during holidays, this really had better not be the primary source of my productivity. Because there is so much more to do, so many people right here that require my time and attention.
Yes, my world is tiny. Insignificant by any measurable standard. But this is where the Lord wants me. Right now.
And I want so deeply to be fruitful, to offer of myself for Him.
In fact, I need to.