Being Tenants

And he began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a pit for the winepress and built a tower, and leased it to tenants and went into another country. When the season came, he sent a servant to the tenants to get from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Again he sent to them another servant, and they struck him on the head and treated him shamefully. And he sent another, and him they killed. And so with many others: some they beat, and some they killed. He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ And they took him and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this Scripture:“‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; a11 this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?” Mark12:1-11

The sun sets red and gold
the limited heat running away
from the horizon like frightened chickens
from the hawk's shadow
we are dwelling together dependent
on the one who made us all.

The tender green grass tickling toddlers
feet raised in the air eyes squinted
face exploding into a smile for the ages
the camera catches the delight of life
that God has given us completely.

As tears roll down an arm extends
over a pew beyond the boundaries
a dear life lost but cherished still
a husband son and father who was grateful
for all the gifts God had given
and was even thankful for the pain on living.

May we be those who give abundantly back
when the lush crops grow and the wine flows
and may we be humble enough the see the makers mark
on all the love that showers down upon us
no matter how complicated and awkward it might be.