Tuesday 1 April 2014

Something for April Fools' Day

On first impression today might not seem the best for writing a sensible blog about Quakers. Looking back on previous April Fools days, the one which sticks most in my mind is the year my husband brought me up a mug of tea first thing in the morning which I drank without question. A few moments later I came downstairs with my empty mug to discover the family cracking up with laughter because my tea had been made with a well known brand of instant gravy powder and I hadn't noticed!

Most people can recall having been deliberately misled on this day. From looking up some of the jokes that have been played in the past, my favourite so far happenned on April 1, 1698 when several people were tricked into visiting the Tower of London to see the lions being washed. They must have had a very high regard for the bravery of zoo-keepers in those days!

Although it is tempting to write a whole entry about April Fools day pranks, it would seem of more relevance to say something about what this festival means to me. We live in a very competitive society where there is enormous pressure to succeed. Although it may be argued that a competitive environment is good for most people, such casualties along the way have tremendous opportunities for guilt. Instead of looking for a reflection of ourselves in the mirror, there is very often a kind of sadness at not encountering the person we are supposed to be. We are supposed to celebrate creation, yet when the images of perfection are too strong, there is a temptation to wipe so much of what we already have away.
I like this regular reminder that we do not have to be clever all the time. It is perfectly OK to relax, have fun, even suffer gentle humiliation at the hands of others because egos have a tendency to undermine who we really are and the character we might be.

By now it would be almost truthful to say that I am learning to love my mistakes. That notorious inability to remember faces has often landed me into trouble. I can recall so many times when I have deliberately prolonged a conversation, desperately seeking clues as to the identity of this person who apparently seems to know all about me. Two of my children are now qualified first-aiders, a very necessary precaution they would say, because their mother is a crazy impetuous person with a tendency to walk faster than she can see, so often falling over.

Given time, it becomes possible to laugh at these situations, although there can be that searing pain and longing to put the clock back. Mistakes have a tendency to keep coming back at you like waves. At first it seems as if you could drown through a sense of failure, but they gradually fade away. Those lessons which are hardest to accept are usually best for us.

After what just happened to his staff before the burning bush, it does seem incredible that Moses should retain any attachment to it. I'm terrified of snakes so have huge respect for any Old Testament prophet who would grab hold of one by their tail for whatever reason!

Moses however must have had a particular need for his staff. For a start this was a sign of the limited authority he had left since it represented his occupation. Looking after his father-in-law's sheep was a considerable number of steps down from being a royal Prince but at least Moses had the ability to work for a living. Perhaps he needed his stick for support because despite all the representations you see of prophets and saints it is possible to be misled. Not everyone is able to stand up straight all the time. Life may involve a great deal of walking and not everyone is strong.
In a challenging situation there is something very reassuring about making regular rhythmic contact with the ground. Perhaps Moses thought as he re-introduced himself to Pharoah's court, considered his criminal record and that very uncomfortable message about letting God's people go, at least he had a stick. Given the highly probable emergency situation, this might be used on a few unfortunate guards as it had been on some of the Egyptian wildlife to protect sheep. To throw his staff down on the ground leaving himself defenceless, without status or support would have been the craziest thing to do.

Perhaps it is the Quaker bit in me that says when I do not like something, it is necessary for me to try harder. In fairness to that poor, exceptionally hungry snake who must have had a terrible stomach ache after these events, he does have a particularity long and very well-established reputation for representing wisdom!


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