This is the heroism of Christ as Deacon. In the moment before it sunk in that he would be horribly crucified, and all his disciples anticipated a traditionally heroic savior, our tied a towel around his waist and washed his disciples feet. In that moment, Christ upended traditional heroic narratives forever. Not even the pagan fan boy Joseph Campbell could put that genie back in the bottle.
Thanks for this wonderful post Bethany. I fully agree that we need casserole heroes!
"Most of us can’t reasonably live, work, and raise our families without participating in systems shaped by the rules and authorities of this present age." As you point out, there are ways that we can be heroes without leaving our homes. Living within the system, but finding ways to "thrive in the margins" (as Jack Leahy notes). This can take the form of raising children, homeschooling, hospitality, staying connected to the land (even if it is just a small garden), rejecting the dopamine-drip of tech, and fostering community among other Machine resistors.
Thank you so much, Ruth! Resisting that "dopamine-drip of tech" is one of the greatest challenges I feel lately, both for myself and my children. My littles are still preschoolers (4, 2, and one due in August), but I'm already grappling with questions about how to train them for that "thriving int he margins." From looking over your newsletter, you seem to have lots of insight on that question. Looking forward to more conversations in future!
It takes discipline to resist falling back on 'easy screen time' for young ones. When ours were young there was no screen time, grandma was asked to turn the tv off, and I even asked library staff to turn off tv screens that were mindlessly running in the background. Children who learn how to play on their own, lie around on the carpet and daydream, tell themselves stories, or find ways to participate in chores in simple ways, are blessed. We resorted to audiobooks for entertainment and even now (with teens) keep film time to Fri/Sat evenings (the same rule counts for us as parents as well). You will never regret keeping them away from screens as long as possible:)
Thank you, Rich! You know you've hit a true form of resistance when you *feel* the obstacles, weight, and heaviness of the practice. Lately it feels as though the glory of hospitality has been dimmed by all the ways it is hard - so it's helpful for me to remember that the fact that it is hard probably means I'm working against that well-oiled Machine!
It IS helpful to think in terms of heroism because so often, this role of being hospitable can feel lowly and overlooked, "just the cook, dishwasher, housekeeper, etc. But when I think in terms of being a heroine on behalf of Christ, it feels different.
Thank you so much for another well-written call to open our hearts and homes to hospitality! Just this morning I was leading a Bible study in Judges. We talked about Jael, the wife of a traitor who used the tools and resources she had on hand to fight for the Lord. She knew how to extend hospitality, so Jael used that skill to placate Israel’s enemy, Sisera. She lived in a tent, and as a homemaker had the muscle and skill to drive a tent peg through tough ground. She used that knowledge and the spare tent peg and hammer she had to overcome the enemy. Jael’s hospitality was a literal weapon and she was the heroine Deborah prophesied would receive the glory for the battle.
This is the heroism of Christ as Deacon. In the moment before it sunk in that he would be horribly crucified, and all his disciples anticipated a traditionally heroic savior, our tied a towel around his waist and washed his disciples feet. In that moment, Christ upended traditional heroic narratives forever. Not even the pagan fan boy Joseph Campbell could put that genie back in the bottle.
Amen and amen.
Thanks for this wonderful post Bethany. I fully agree that we need casserole heroes!
"Most of us can’t reasonably live, work, and raise our families without participating in systems shaped by the rules and authorities of this present age." As you point out, there are ways that we can be heroes without leaving our homes. Living within the system, but finding ways to "thrive in the margins" (as Jack Leahy notes). This can take the form of raising children, homeschooling, hospitality, staying connected to the land (even if it is just a small garden), rejecting the dopamine-drip of tech, and fostering community among other Machine resistors.
Thank you so much, Ruth! Resisting that "dopamine-drip of tech" is one of the greatest challenges I feel lately, both for myself and my children. My littles are still preschoolers (4, 2, and one due in August), but I'm already grappling with questions about how to train them for that "thriving int he margins." From looking over your newsletter, you seem to have lots of insight on that question. Looking forward to more conversations in future!
It takes discipline to resist falling back on 'easy screen time' for young ones. When ours were young there was no screen time, grandma was asked to turn the tv off, and I even asked library staff to turn off tv screens that were mindlessly running in the background. Children who learn how to play on their own, lie around on the carpet and daydream, tell themselves stories, or find ways to participate in chores in simple ways, are blessed. We resorted to audiobooks for entertainment and even now (with teens) keep film time to Fri/Sat evenings (the same rule counts for us as parents as well). You will never regret keeping them away from screens as long as possible:)
Thank you for your article, Bethany, which I have just referenced in my latest post.
I'm honored, Peco! You set the table for an excellent conversation, and I'm looking forward to continuing to listen and learn.
As I am too! It’s helpful to hear so many perspectives.
I love the idea of the heroism of hospitality as a way to resist the Machine. Thanks for exploring it.
Thank you, Rich! You know you've hit a true form of resistance when you *feel* the obstacles, weight, and heaviness of the practice. Lately it feels as though the glory of hospitality has been dimmed by all the ways it is hard - so it's helpful for me to remember that the fact that it is hard probably means I'm working against that well-oiled Machine!
It IS helpful to think in terms of heroism because so often, this role of being hospitable can feel lowly and overlooked, "just the cook, dishwasher, housekeeper, etc. But when I think in terms of being a heroine on behalf of Christ, it feels different.
I completely agree, Anna! "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord..." right?
Thanks! I needed that Scripture reminder today, Bethany!
It's so beautiful. thank you
Thank you so much for another well-written call to open our hearts and homes to hospitality! Just this morning I was leading a Bible study in Judges. We talked about Jael, the wife of a traitor who used the tools and resources she had on hand to fight for the Lord. She knew how to extend hospitality, so Jael used that skill to placate Israel’s enemy, Sisera. She lived in a tent, and as a homemaker had the muscle and skill to drive a tent peg through tough ground. She used that knowledge and the spare tent peg and hammer she had to overcome the enemy. Jael’s hospitality was a literal weapon and she was the heroine Deborah prophesied would receive the glory for the battle.