The Groundskeeper

There once was a man who lived in a small house by the park in a quaint little town. Each day he would get up early, get dressed, and begin his walk through the park. As he walked, he would pick up trash and make sure the sidewalks were clear of garbage and debris. All the people of the town knew him because of the service he freely gave to them on his daily walk.

When one of the swings in the park broke, the man returned to the park during the evening and worked late into the night to repair it. Everyone knew that if someone got hurt on the jungle gym or scraped a knee on the cement the man would have a bandage or an ice pack ready in minutes. They trusted and loved the man. The park was a warm and welcoming place where all felt safe and joyful.

One day the man announced that he would be leaving for a while. The people of the town asked him when he would be back, but he simply told them that he couldn’t say. Then he was gone.

For a while the people continued to look for him, not quite ready accept his absence since he had become such a significant part of their lives. The people often spoke of him and remembered the times that he had helped them personally and simply reminisced about his daily walks through the beautiful park.

Meanwhile the park grew dirtier.

Trash was left on the ground. The sidewalk became cluttered and filthy. The merry-go-round broke and was left that way.

After a while, the people stopped going to the park. What had once been a beautiful place filled with love had become a dark and desolate place. Some of the people spoke of the “good old days” when the man had cared for the park and life was as it should be. Others grew angry with him, resenting the fact that he had gone and neglected the park. Still others would wait and watch the park, imagining what it would be like when the man returned.

As the people stayed away from the park longer and longer, they grew distant from each other. And so they stay behind closed doors, away from the park, and talk about the man who taught them so much and do nothing but wait for his return.

Wise and Foolish

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; and it fell with a great crash. The man was not fearful or worried, for he knew his home was not bound up in a building but in the family of God. Yet, when he sought help from his brothers and sisters they saw not his need, but the time and effort that would be required of them. Though they all had houses on the rock, the doors were shut. The man left the rock and found a spot on the beach. There he built a shelter on the sand. Those on the rock looked down and ridiculed his poor decision, watching and waiting for the storm that would wash him away. Yet, the man was content. For he found a new family among those huddled on the beach. Each knew the suffering of the other and all shared what shelter there was to be found. He found it was better to be among a family of fools on the sand than alone with a house on the rock."



When he finished saying these things, the crowd was outraged. They went away frustrated, for they had come to find safety and comfort, but were given sand instead.

After the Fall

So the man and his wife walked away from the Garden, heads hung low in shame. Suddenly they came upon a box. Taped to the top of the box was a simple note that said, “On second thought, animal skins are not quite enough. –God”

They opened the box cautiously.

Inside were the most beautiful clothes they had ever seen (though that wasn’t saying much for these ex-nudists). Adam gathered his outfit: pants, shirt, jacket, tie, and nice polished shoes with argyle socks. Eve took up her dress, necklace, and stylish pumps.

They quickly changed into their new garments, after struggling with how exactly to put them on for a few moments.

They looked at each other.

They were amazed by what they saw.

Not only was their shame still covered, but they looked wonderful. They were even attracted to each other. Adam thought about these new clothes and said to Eve, “Now we are worthy. God has given us these clothes so we can be with Him again.”

Eve replied, “That must be it. We no longer feel ashamed and we look important enough to be in the presence of God. We deserve a relationship with Him now.”

Eve reached out and grabbed her husband’s hand. Together they walked on, looking for God so they could show Him that they were properly dressed to be with Him. Their shame was covered and their clothing suggested they were perfect.

From the tree that was shading the box the serpent slithered. He picked up the note that he had written from the box. Laughing to himself, he watched as the man and woman walked. He could rest a while, knowing that they were now further than ever from God.