As we walked (car out of action!) across the Morrison’s (other supermarkets are available but not so close to home!) car park, me pulling a trolley bag containing the heavier items and him with a full shopping bag, he suddenly stopped, pulled out a second bag and shared the groceries between the bags.
With one in each hand, he continued the walk home, “It’s important to be balanced!” he explained. “In fact, I may stop half way and change hands!”
This set me thinking. We talk about balance all the time – a balanced diet, work/life balance, balancing the books…. We’re careful not to tip the balance.
We avoid the straw that broke the camel’s back (or the melon that broke the monkey’s back, as they say in some countries!). Everything should be in equilibrium. No one should have the lion’s share – equality and fairness is the name of the game!
Then this old hymn by Theodore Monod came into my head:
O the bitter shame and sorrow
That a time could ever be
When I let the Saviour’s pity
Plead in vain, and proudly answered:
All of self and none of thee!
Yet he found me; I beheld him
Bleeding on th’accursed tree,
Heard him pray: Forgive them, Father!
And my wistful heart said faintly:
Some of self and some of thee!
Day by day his tender mercy,
Healing, helping, full and free,
Sweet and strong and ah! so patient,
Brought me lower, while I whispered:
Less of self and more of thee!
Higher than the highest Heaven,
Deeper than the deepest sea,
Lord, thy love at last has conquered;
Grant me now my spirit’s longing:
None of self and all of thee!
As we learn more of what Jesus has done for us, gradually the balance of control in our lives should shift as we surrender ourselves to him.