The Village ILWIDIot
By Walt Wiltschek
“I’ll take the hand of those who don’t know the way, who can’t see where they’re going. I’ll be a personal guide to them, directing them through unknown country. I’ll be right there to show them what roads to take, make sure they don’t fall into the ditch. .’” —Isaiah 42:16a, MSG
When I traveled to Iceland this past summer—taking a few recently graduated youth for some hiking and exploring—our adventures included a search for offshore spots where puffins nest and swoop down over the ocean. It’s almost mesmerizing watching them do their wobbly yet graceful flights. One of the youth even ran across a nest with a baby puffin, known as a “puffling,” sitting in it and looking rather indignant at being disturbed.
As I read up on these native birds, I learned that residents of the small island often have to help these young birds after they’re born, as they are drawn to the lights of the nearby town rather than flying toward the sea, and many become lost or injured. A “Puffling Patrol” of local citizens rescues the stranded birds, fixes them up if needed, and carries them back to the ocean. Some 3,000 pufflings needed such care this year.
I expect everyone needs that sort of care at some point, perhaps especially so these days. While we strive to follow Christ, it’s easy to become rather disoriented with everything we have faced in recent years. We have an idea of where we need to go, but getting there is a challenge. And all around us are people facing similar or greater struggles.
Over the past month, I read a lesser-known book by John Steinbeck titled The Short Reign of Pippin IV—an imagined tale of an unexpected king of France. In one scene, the reluctant king escapes the confines of the castle and heads into the countryside in disguise.
There, while eating lunch, he encounters an elderly man who is pulling small statues out of an algae-covered moat. The man explains that some local hooligans push the statues into the murky water a few times a year; he always dutifully pokes around until he can find and retrieve them, setting them back in place. “Why do you pull them out?” the king asks. “Why—I don’t know,” the elderly man replies. “I guess there’s people that pull things out—that’s what they do. I guess I’m one of that kind.”
In difficult, disorienting times, I pray each of us is that kind, too: those who strive to help out and set things right, no matter the odds. And when we are the ones who need that help, may we encounter those who will likewise extend their hands and hearts and pull us out once more—the human equivalent of a “Puffling Patrol” (a Brethren Brigade, perhaps?).
Blessings to all of you in this new year as we seek the path to which we’re called, together.
District executive schedule:
“I’ll take the hand of those who don’t know the way, who can’t see where they’re going. I’ll be a personal guide to them, directing them through unknown country. I’ll be right there to show them what roads to take, make sure they don’t fall into the ditch. .’” —Isaiah 42:16a, MSG
When I traveled to Iceland this past summer—taking a few recently graduated youth for some hiking and exploring—our adventures included a search for offshore spots where puffins nest and swoop down over the ocean. It’s almost mesmerizing watching them do their wobbly yet graceful flights. One of the youth even ran across a nest with a baby puffin, known as a “puffling,” sitting in it and looking rather indignant at being disturbed.
I expect everyone needs that sort of care at some point, perhaps especially so these days. While we strive to follow Christ, it’s easy to become rather disoriented with everything we have faced in recent years. We have an idea of where we need to go, but getting there is a challenge. And all around us are people facing similar or greater struggles.
Over the past month, I read a lesser-known book by John Steinbeck titled The Short Reign of Pippin IV—an imagined tale of an unexpected king of France. In one scene, the reluctant king escapes the confines of the castle and heads into the countryside in disguise.
There, while eating lunch, he encounters an elderly man who is pulling small statues out of an algae-covered moat. The man explains that some local hooligans push the statues into the murky water a few times a year; he always dutifully pokes around until he can find and retrieve them, setting them back in place. “Why do you pull them out?” the king asks. “Why—I don’t know,” the elderly man replies. “I guess there’s people that pull things out—that’s what they do. I guess I’m one of that kind.”
In difficult, disorienting times, I pray each of us is that kind, too: those who strive to help out and set things right, no matter the odds. And when we are the ones who need that help, may we encounter those who will likewise extend their hands and hearts and pull us out once more—the human equivalent of a “Puffling Patrol” (a Brethren Brigade, perhaps?).
Blessings to all of you in this new year as we seek the path to which we’re called, together.
District executive schedule:
In addition to regular meetings, Walt attended the Camp Emmaus board retreat Jan. 20-21, visited Dixon for a call weekend with a pastoral candidate Jan. 22, will be preaching at York Center Jan. 29, will be visiting the Franklin Grove rummage sale Feb. 4 and at Polo on Feb. 5, and will be attending an Office of Ministry event at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin Feb. 24-26.
Walt is available to visit your church, do pulpit supply, lead sessions, have conversation times, or otherwise connect with your congregation. Please contact IWDDE@outlook.com to schedule a time.
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