As children we chafe at limitations. When my son, Dave, at age seven, wanted the freedom to ride his bicycle the mile from home to his friend’s house in town, I refused.
“Why?” He pleaded. “I can ride to the back of the farm on the back lane. It’s just as far. You said so yourself.”
David was always able to build a good case for what he wanted. I replied, “It’s because I love you so much.”
His answer came astonishingly quickly, “Please don’t love me so much.”
We human beings struggle with rules. We push limits. As we mature, we gain confidence and knowledge, usually faster than wisdom. I remember at age eighteen, I thought I knew more than my parents. I could make my own decisions, thought out carefully.
When we are in our thirties, forties and fifties, too often we believe our circumstances push us beyond what we have learned as wisdom. We work long hours because we’re sure we need to. We simply must get ahead in our profession. We must have enough to provide the good things in life. We ignore calls to protect the environment on a small individual scale because it’s too much trouble. We’re too busy. On a national scale, we assume it will cost investors too much. The powerful will abandon us. There is always a reason to take an easier way.
Now, I’m a senior. I can no longer ignore my limitations. When arthritis in my back damaged my sense of balance, I fell, far too often. A physiotherapist suggested I use a cane. He also said it would reduce my pain.
I reacted, “I’m OK. I’ll be careful.”
My wonderful, wise daughter, her face beaming love to me, warned, “Mom, grow old gracefully. Use the cane.”
God gives us an adventurous spirit, determination and the ability to learn. God also gives us loving people to care for us. Sometimes, we lack the grace to receive their advice. We don’t think we need it. We prefer to ignore our limitations.
God loves us and understands us and so has given us just two rules to live by. First, love God. Second, love others as you love yourself. God’s “Golden Rule” is expressed in many languages for different peoples all over the world. Regardless of race, religion, or gender identity, the rule applies. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Or as Jesus said it, “Love others as you love yourself.” Or as Richard Wagamese, our First Nation brother wrote in One Drum, “Do no harm to anyone.” It’s just one limitation given because God loves us so much. We are God’s precious children. This one rule, this one limitation, is the road to world peace. It feels as if the world today is saying, “God, don’t love us so very much. We want to go our own way.” And so war, cruelty, violence continue.
One rule – if we would only accept it and live it. Peace would be ours. May we learn to accept this limitation. May it be so.