Old Faithfuls
Several years ago, in Christianity Today, Philip Yancy wrote, “I remember my first visit to Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park. Beside the geyser a large, digital clock predicted the minutes remaining until the next eruption. My wife and I passed the countdown in the dining room of Old Faithful Inn overlooking the geyser. When the digital clock reached one minute, we, along with every other diner, left our seats and rushed to the windows to see the big event.
As if on signal a crew of busboys and waiters descended on the tables to refill water glasses and clear away dirty dishes. When the geyser went off, we tourists oohed and aahed and clicked our cameras; a few spontaneously applauded. But, glancing back over my shoulder, I saw that not a single waiter or busboy - not even those who had finished their chores - looked out the huge windows. Old Faithful, grown entirely too familiar, had lost its power to impress them.”
As I read Yancy’s story I thought about the many Old Faithfuls who touch our lives, caring people who dutifully burst forth upon the horizon of our living to meet our needs and fulfill our expectations. Most of our mothers and fathers have been Old Faithfuls, showing up, as if on cue, when we need them most. Our loving spouse, who provides companionship and comfort in good times and bad times, is an Old Faithful who rarely disappoints. Patient teachers and caring pastors have faithfully touched our lives, reaching out to love us at our best and our worst, faithful to us, even when we were not faithful to them.
Sometimes Old Faithful takes the form of a physician, a nurse, a dentist or a trusted mechanic at the local garage. Day and night these and other community servants are there when we call.
When trouble comes and we need Old Faithful to walk with us through the dark night of the soul, our best friend shows up, not as a spectacular geyser but as a warm, quiet pool swirling around our injury, bringing healing to our wounded soul. In times too numerous to count, the people with whom we worship serve as our Old Faithfuls, loving brothers and sisters who make a real difference in our lives by remembering us in their faithful prayers. Of course the most obvious Old Faithful is our God who never sleeps nor slumbers. When other Old Faithfuls have run out of steam, He remains the same.
Few things are more quickly taken for granted than Old Faithfuls. Because they are dependable, we just assume they will burst forth when expected. Ironically, their faithfulness too often causes us to ignore them. Because they are always there they tend to blend into the background of our existence, oblivious to our notice.
Thanksgiving is a season when we renew our appreciation for Old Faithfuls. It’s a time to see them with new eyes and to express our gratitude to them for enriching our lives.
So in the coming days, as you celebrate Thanksgiving, take some time to express your gratitude to the Old Faithfuls of your life. Open your eyes wide enough to see them in their original splendor, and if you do, you’ll quickly discover they are no less spectacular now than when they first burst forth upon your life.
