The Last Straw
The straw flew helter-skelter.
It was “Play Day” and each kindergartener had a part to play. As the students made their way into the classroom, the role of director would be mine. Along with directorship came the role of stagehand. As soon as I entered that morning, props were hoisted up and onto center stage. Readying the set came easy enough as plans to do so were made the night before.
The question posed the night before to the powers that be was simple. “Do you have any hay bales I can use for my kindergarteners tomorrow? I just need one. The Three Little Pigs need some point of reference as they make their final decisions as to how to build their houses.”
“I don’t,” he replied. “However, I do have a straw bale but that can get pretty messy!”
“Not to worry,” I responded way too quickly. “I’m sure anything that looks like hay will be just fine. After all, I doubt the kiddos will know the difference.”
He delivered. Into the back of my trunk went the straw bale and that was that.
All was well, or so I thought, until it came time to set up shop. Once the straw was upon the stage, it was as if each and every piece had an electrical current attached and soon, the classroom exploded into golden pieces attaching themselves like magnets to everything and everyone.
It was the last straw! As my kindergarten students stood staring at what was unfurling around the room, their teacher was equally electrified! After incessantly pressing the intercom, the principal made an entrance with the custodian right behind. Soon, the mishmash of straw was bagged for safe keeping and the vacuum was running full circle round and again as the children stood mesmerized at the reality unraveling before them.
Sooner than later, all was calm upon the stage and collecting ourselves for the presentation to parents came off without a hitch.
Isn’t that just like the lot of us? Grabbing to go on the go and before we know it, things are just flying helter-skelter all over the place. Then, sooner than later all is calm, and all is bright because the sweeper-upper of the storm is ever ready in times of trouble. I’m not likening my helpers to God, but he most certainly sent them in my time of trouble. After all, we are his hands and feet as needed this side of the veil.
Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.”
Just press the intercom, as he’s available 24/7. What intercom is that? The one that makes the inner calm—his Word—a lifeline which opens all of life no matter the matter at hand. Amen.
Kathleen Kjolhaug, Theology in the Trenches
Photo: “Hay Rolls in Snowy Field” by Nancy Bauer, OSB
