Pastor Jim Jackson

Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church

What a waste, earth worms dead on the sidewalk. They could have been good fish bait. They could have continued to enrich the soil. They could have been good food for birds or even other animals. Yet, possibly in search higher ground, they left home to find a better abode. The sidewalk was a bad choice. Sort of like the prodigal who went searching for a better life in the far country. He wound up friendless, hungry, and regretful that he left father and farm.

So I find those critters dead and dried out on my sidewalk. Then they are something like worm jerky, but even the birds seem to prefer live, juicy ones. An exception is our little Shih Tzu. Don’t understand that when there’s an abundance of good, healthy food in her dish every day.

It must be rain or the absence thereof that leads worms to leave the rich, organic loam of our lawn for dry ground. Trouble is they run out of moisture in the process and fall victim to hard, hot, and dry cement. Thus they lie exhausted on the pavement, dead, dried, and fried flat. No proper burial but a hint in the direction of cremation.

The scene is a sad one to me; something akin to what I feel seeing dead animals on Highway 17. It’s a waste, all in pursuit of a better life. Perhaps there’s a parable here. Could it be that we shouldn’t leave home unless we are convinced we’ve found better, something worth the risks?

The prodigal learned that almost too late. Fortunately he scraped his pride, confessed his mistake and returned to the “shade” and nurture of home.

There are people out there on the sidewalks who have run out of moisture. They’ve made bad choices or maybe even been given a bad deck of cards. It makes no difference. Yes, there is something we can do. Jesus is the one who told the woman about a well of water that could spring up in her life. We believers are recipients of that water, water enough for ourselves and more to share. No need to worry it might run out.

Hear the words of Jesus himself: “If a brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food. And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead.” Friends, let’s go splashing.