The Plaidshirt Prophet

Have you met my wife?  You have met her if you’ve seen the movie The Blindside.  No, she’s not an actress… she’s a character.  My wife’s name is Jessica, but her persona is LeAnn Tuohy.  Jess could play that part without acting.

For those of you who haven’t been blessed by this movie, LeAnn Tuohy is the lead female role.  Mrs. Tuohy is beautiful, well dressed and always made-up.  But the most important parallels between these two characters are not physical.  Mrs. Tuohy is a paradox.  She is some combination of Rosie the Riveter (pictured) and Mother Theresa.  She is staunch, unwavering, defensive and intolerant of injustice; yet she is graceful, loving, forgiving and kind.  One moment she is chastizing her loved ones, but with the very next breath she is ferociously defending them.  She is fearless, brave, even reckless when protecting her family.  She nurtures, comforts and coddles those who are dear to her in their times of trouble.  She is impetuous, impatient and pushy.  She is always sincere.  She is fiercely loyal.  She is a formidable foe and a dear friend.  High caliber people like my wife and Mrs. Tuey are few and far between.  I’m not sure that I measure up to their standard.  Oh no, they’re not perfect… far from it.  But they’re sincere and honest; you never have to wonder where they stand or what they think.  There are no pretenses, no falsehoods and no cover-ups.

My description of these women may cause you to believe that they are intimidating and unapproachable, but do not be afraid.  Jess and Mrs. Tuohy seem to have developed many of these personality traits to use as defense mechanisms (read: bullshit detectors).  If you are trustworthy and honest then you needn’t worry, just be bold and forthright.  If you try to lie or withhold the truth, then you should cringe and cower.  When you argue with her, you will never win.  If you’re right, she’ll never admit it… but soon enough, you’ll know.  Don’t give up on her, she’ll come around.

Have you ever met my wife?  Now that she has been characterized by a leading role in a successful film, you can meet her at your local Blockbuster Video or in your next order from Netflix.  If you haven’t, then I hope you will.  You will be blessed.

It’s an exciting time to be a country boy.  Why?  Because people are looking toward the country.  As this world races on toward panacea or hell, which ever you believe, it causes a person to question the uninterrupted supply of his or her own basic needs.  After all, we are all betting our lives on the fact that the system will pull through for us.  From the ranch hand in a Kansas feedlot to the migrant worker in a Florida orange grove to the truck driver and so on, we all require a delicate and intricate system of support.  It is a system that we do not even have to see.  Truck loads of food roll in on “Truck Routes”, pull in through back alleys and back up to loading docks positioned on the backsides of markets.  Farmers, laborers, processors and packagers of food are seemingly distant and anonymous entities.  And so, in light of these facts and the questions they raise, common people in villages, towns and cities across this country are considering the country life so they can provide for themselves (at least in part) according to their own ethical standards.

Isn’t it also possible that some city folks are tired of chasing carrots and turning hamster wheels?  How many of us who were taught to dream big, shoot for the stars and acheive our goals through education and career are now disillusioned with the lack of fulfillment that our efforts have provided?  I submit to you that many of us are thinking long and hard about what is really significant.  So, what is significant?  Many of us are realizing that our basic needs are more important than bank accounts and fancy cars.  Family time and personal relationships with neighbors are more meaningful than daycares and country clubs.  Working together in the pasture, the garden or the kitchen lead to a sense of camaradarie, where competition for raises and promotions causes animosity and stress.  While this may be an over-simplification, the simple life definitely has its advantages; and the country life is positively simpler.

Whether for self-sufficiency or for simplicity, I am cordially inviting you to the country.  I offer hospitality, expertise and the fruits of my labor.  Keep in mind, however, that I might require some of your labor, too.  It might be good for all of us for you to see what we do and why we do it.  And you might find a Bigger sense of purpose than any career can offer.  Come join us in the country because, no matter what happens, country folks can survive.

I was made.  I’m sure of it.  I was made by something very, very intelligent.  I was made for a purpose.  How do I know?  Ha ha!  You, the reader, were hoping that I would say one of two things: 1. You were hoping that I had some new, deep insight that would put the nail in the coffin of the doubter, or 2. You were hoping that I would make some lame argument that you could easily debunk.

Sorry, I will say neither.  But before you stop reading, know this: nothing I am about to say is intended to sway your opinion about your own existence.  I would simply like to bare my soul for a moment.

Why do I know I was made?  Because I desire to intimately know my wife.  Because something deep within me stirs when I hear my son cry.  Because I am moved with compassion when I see another person suffer.  Because I long to stir the soil and plant seeds.  Because a song is more than wavelengths and decibels to my intricately designed ears.  Because a brilliant sunset after a tiresome day causes my soul to be satisfied with my work.  Because I feel guilt when I disobey my conscience.  Because I seek purpose from something bigger than myself.  Because, no matter how many indulgences in which I partake, I cannot please myself.  I cannot fill the hole.  I cannot satisfy my soul’s yearning.  I am in a life-long state of thirst and hunger for something that gives meaning, provides answers and ultimately gives love.

I believe that I was made to be loved and then to give love to others, starting with my family and extending out to every human being.  I believe that I was made to subdue this earth and tend to it lovingly, not for greed and self-service but for the purpose of blessing others.  What is more human than sharing a meal in the company of friends, brothers and sisters?  I believe that the work for which I was created is a daily lesson in self-denial which results in true happiness.  I believe that I was made with a conscience which can be nurtured with actions that honor that conscience, or it can be silenced by decisions which deny it.

I love humanity!  This state of being in which we live is truly a miracle!  We are shown, by and through our existence, just barely enough to identify a Maker.  And yet, not enough to be sure.  We feel the tug toward a greater sense of purpose, but fear the ridicule of those who doubt its existence.  I believe that, if there is a Maker, there never will be a definite answer to the question of whether or not there is One in our current mortal state.  But I’m not going to share the reasoning behind that belief.  Not at this time, anyway.

Suffice it to say that I know I’m sumthin’, cuz God don’t make no junk.