The Parable of the Farmers’ Market

Parables are the shocking stories Jesus told to teach us about God.  And this is the Parable of the Farmers’ Market.

There was a Farmers’ Market in Charlotte, NC and the vegetables and flowers were almost too beautiful to bear. The smells were intoxicating.  And the world seemed as it should be. God did this.

Baby bok choy in deep greens.  Eggplants in royal purples. Sweet peppers in colors never before seen in the average garden. Jalapenos to delight the soul. Flowers too gorgeous to choose just one bouquet.

Catfish and fresh rainbow trout. Breads for the gluttons and gluten free. Olive oils and honey as far as you can see. Coffee beans and fruit juices. Peaches and blackberries large enough to make a person weep.

And the people. On one particular Saturday the people were from Korea and India and Syria and Ghana and Honduras.  There were women donning bindis and chadors. There were men in Lily Pulitzer shorts and in blue jeans. Their skins were golden and brown and black and white.

It was a happy place, a God-given place.

And then three middle-aged white men were overheard talking about how “those four police officers taught that crook a lesson.” “They shot the hell out of him” the one in the turquoise shirt said, laughing.

And there was a guy wearing this T-shirt.

And the LORD said,  “I have given you blessings of every color and shape,  from every nation and creed.  And you curse my blessings.  And while you are rich in worldly power and contempt, you who do not treasure the colors and textures I have created in this life will be condemned in the next. To those who love, love will drench them even in times of brokenness.  And to those who hate, there will be deep sorrow.”

Have a hope-filled Monday.

Images from the Charlotte Farmers’ Market on Saturday, August 29.