Here is a great story. It didn’t happen in Shake Rag, but it could have. It is about a man who lives on a mountain. Shake Rag doesn’t have any mountains, unless you count Chalk Bluff. Chalk Bluff is just that, a bluff that is as white as Mamma Bea’s freshly bleached sheets. Back when, the young folks would ride their mules over and have bon fires and roast hot dogs. Kids are too sophisticated for that today. There’s not an app for that.
Anyway, this is a story about a man and it starts when he starts, with his parents. His parents were a couple of young people who made a bad choice in life that resulted in a pregnancy. 60+ years ago, this was a source of shame and humiliation for families. The local sheriff came and gathered up the young man, took him and the young woman to the local judge and forced them to get married. It didn’t last long, the marriage that is. It was really just to give the soon to be born son a name. The young couple divorced and went their separate ways. The father remarried and soon had children that he was very proud of but his first born remained a family secret. The “family secret” grew up, joined the army, went to jail for a period and then moved onto a mountain and lived in the woods. No house, no plumbing, no electricity, just the woods.
The mountain man knew who his father was and kept a watchful eye on his secret family. During family reunions, the mountain man would linger along the fringes of the woods watching, just watching. It sounds a bit scary and strange to us but it was hardly that. It was really more about a young man who wanted to belong. He could see his own face in the face of his dad and no doubt felt a connection that was powerful. Yet, he remained on the fringe, just watching. Never being a part.
He eventually married, had two children and built a one room shelter for his family from scraps of lumber that he picked up here and there. He made a living from harvesting ginseng from the woods and selling it. He became well known in the little community nearest him. He was known to be trustworthy, despite his oddities. He once wanted to borrow $500 to buy a car. He walked into the nearest bank, told them what he wanted and walked out with $500. No collateral, just his good reputation.
One day, one of his half sisters learned about the family secret. She pondered as to what to do. She decided it was time to meet this mountain man who was her brother. She took a drive, turned down a road that lead deep into the woods passing “No Trespassing” signs all along the way. She was a bit nervous wondering what kind of reception she would receive. She pulled up to what can only be described as a shack and got out. She was greeted by a rough looking man dressed in overalls, no shirt, a beard down to his belly button and a shotgun. But she didn’t see any of that. What she saw was the face of her dad. “Hello, my name is ….” He cut her off and said, “I know who you are.” They hugged, he invited her in. Now, she visits this brother on a regular basis. She has begun taking her daughter. They belong.
How many times have we stood on the fringes wanting to belong? How many times have we overlooked those standing outside the circle of inclusion? What a tremendous gift of grace this sister offered when she reached out and gently pulled the “family secret” into the circle of welcoming love. We can do that. We can, with a little effort and just a bit of courage, reach out and include others. Jesus did: the woman at the well, Zacheus, the thief, the rich young ruler, Mary, the adulterous woman, . . . me . . . you.
Mamma Bea might say, "Come in the house."
God says, "This son, this daughter, was lost but now is found."
Thanks be to God.
