Tippy as Eggs!
"As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34
In the poignant short poem "Eggs," Kay Ryan speaks of human beings as being as "Tippy as Eggs." Picture an egg. It rarely stands up tall, but rolls naturally to its side. It's so easy to tip over.
Thats why we have packaging for our eggs, to keep them from rolling over and breaking. The poet suggests that while we may think that we have legs to stand up on, they are an illusion. We're really just like those eggs.
The poem ends rather abruptly: "We are held in a carton if someone loves us. Its a pity that only loss proves this."
But I hope that there are more ways to prove love than to lose it. I hope that we can realize how precious love is before tipping over and cracking open.
On Valentine's Day so much of the culture turns its attention to love, but its not a very grown up love. Its all about romance, flowers, fancy restaurants and jewelry.
Instead, lets consider the power of everyday love, the kind of love that exists at the kitchen counter, pulls up weeds in the back yard and sets aside fancy jewelry to save for someone else's college tuition.
Yes, we human beings are tippy as eggs. But, its that everyday love that keeps us upright. Let's give thanks for all the love that keeps our eggs from tipping over.
God, make me thankful for love in my life as I enjoy it. Amen
Lillian Daniel, Senior minister, First Congregational Church, UCC, Glen Ellyn, Illinois
To say that "God exists" is the greatest understatement ever made across space and time.
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