French legend holds that
St. Martha (of Biblical-Good-Housekeeping fame) tamed a dragon that lived under
a bridge in Tarascon-- by singing songs to it.
How in the world did St.
Martha end up in France, you say? Another legend holds that she and her
less-busy sister Mary, their resurrected brother Lazarus, along with Mary
Salome and Mary Magdalene set sail with Joseph of Aramithea.
The same Joseph, by the way, who gave up his burial plot for Jesus, Who didn't
end up occupying it for more than three days.
But I digress.
St. Martha (just
plain old Martha back then ) allegedly tamed a wild beast comprised of six short legs like a bear's, an ox-like body covered with a turtle shell, a scaly tail that ended in a stinger, and
a lon's 's head. Martha had some serious courage.
According to legend, she tamed it with hymns and prayers, took it into town where it was promptly attacked by villagers. No surprise, it died, and Martha seized the opportunity to preach to to the crowds -- many of whom turned to Christianity.
I've evolved into a Martha-like housekeeper, much to the surprise of those who Knew Me When. HA
I like to stay busy, and I
tend to slay dragons that I see on my horizon. Although I have a pretty
good singing voice, and pray often and fervently, these days
it takes more than singing to slay dragons.
It takes courage. Courage, that comes from surviving a lifetime of Unusual Events.
Courage to do the Biblical thing, and go directly to someone who has offended you, and not call a committee meeting to mediate. “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over." Matthew 18:14-16
Courage, to stand up to people who would censor your thoughts.
For example, escaping my old boss at the newspaper, who wrote me up once for reporting loss in revenue -- due to the temp covering my desk undercharging my accounts (while I was in the hospital) Wrote me up for "pointing fingers". Huh. "Pointing fingers"... when I was reviewing my personal sales accounts in my absence, and upholding company interests. Never heard a spreadsheet called pointing fingers.
Or today, accused of violating Diocese policy -- which in fact I did not. "You are not allowed to communicate with parents on Facebook" -- from the person who until today, was ON MY Facebook. HUH?? Did not use social media during the workday for the incident in question, did not use Official websites for personal use, did not state that my views were that of the Diocese, did not use sexual overtones or contact minors. (Yeah, that's in the communications policy... written out but not enforced much... just gonna walk away from THAT one. )
And, sadly, I did. Walk away. Not going to stay and be accused of nothing, by people who are simply afraid to lose donations to the church budget. "Never sacrifice quantity for quality" is apparently not their credo.
I loved my job. Loved my babies. They loved me. Their moms called, and texted, and messaged in frustration and horror, and bolstered my bruised spirit. "We love you..."
Therein lies my comfort.
Moms, who call to ask me to sing the songs from Circle Time so they can sing the One Song THAT NEEDS TO BE SUNG at bedtime. HA
The moms
who call,and ask if I can babysit because their kid LOVES me.
I have to remember, kids that I had in preschool and later in high school youth group in CA are on my Facebook as thirty-year-olds, today. Kids I had here in junior high Sunday school, ten years ago, are still my twenty-something buds.
"IF THEY LISTEN TO YOU, YOU HAVE WON THEM OVER." Thank you, St. Matthew.
I've definitely won some
people over, across my lifetime. :-) Moreover, they have heard about the power
of God.
Getting back to the Bible, the Book of Proverbs offers "six things the Lord hateth, and the seventh His soul detesteth", namely:
1.
A proud
look
2.
A lying
tongue
3.
Hands
that shed innocent blood
4.
A heart
that devises wicked plots
5.
Feet that
are swift to run into mischief
6.
A
deceitful witness that uttereth lies
7.
Him that
soweth discord among brethren
Not sure where asking someone to stop hurting your feelings lands on that list.
Pope
Francis has some pretty big dragons to slay. I pray for his courage. I pray he
survives. I pray...and I will sing hymns as prayers, as I always have.
"All hail the power of Jesus' name, let angels prostrate fall, bring forth
the Royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of All, bring forth the Royal diadem,
and crown Him Lord of All!"
Onward to
other Adventures, other dragons. Most immediately -- the arms of the one person
in the world who actually listens to me... who will be here in our house, in a
week.
Onward, to other Adventures, with my Jonathan. My partner-in-dragon-slaying. :-)
