I’m sure you’ve seen those videos from time to time – of a big old bear in the woods, with his back up against a rough-barked tree, and moving up and down to scratch that part of his back that he can’t reach. When I lived out the Black Hills, one time I came across a huge bull bison leaning against a fencepost and scratching his side, and nearly pushing the 8 inch round post right over in the process.
I’m not sure why God created itches. It may be that somehow they perform and important role in animal physiology, but I haven’t found that secret yet. With our three cats, there is a veritable parade of four-leggers marching by continually, all looking to have their backs or necks or hindquarters or tops of their heads by their human assistants. You would think that after a few moments of the scratching, that the itch would be satisfied, and they would move on – but no – they will stand there and just wait and wait for more and more scratches until my fingers cramp up and I have to beg off – until the next patient waddles up for their turn. I have a spot – I can feel it right now – that is about a third of the way down my back, just between my spine and my right shoulder blade, that feels like it constantly itchy. There’s nothing there – not even a little odd hair that grows on my back and gets caught in my t-shirt. Just itch. It’s in a spot where I simply can’t reach it with either hand. It’s like it has picked that perfect place where my arms are about two inches too short, and it just likes to nestle in there and cause… well, it’s not pain, and it’s not soreness. It’s just itchy. I have identified all the corners of walls and doors in the house where I could lean up against, and like that old bear in the woods, just scratch away. Sometimes it works, but sometimes it just doesn’t have the magic, and the itch goes on. Now, when I was growing up, at some point somebody brought home a wooden bamboo back scratcher. It was about 18 inches long, and one end had a hole with a little red ribbon run through it, supposedly to hang it somewhere, and the other end, somehow had four sort-of fingers of bamboo that had been probably steamed and curled in the world-class back scratcher that it was. It was kind of sharp on the ends, and as I would scratch my back with it, I could almost imagine it taking off significant amount of skin, somehow to root out the itch. Of course, it didn’t, but it only took a few seconds of the scratching to make the world a nicer place in which to live. The backscratcher, although belonging to the entire family, somehow disappeared over the years, probably squirreled away in somebody’s secret stash of valuables. In these recent years, I had thought about the bamboo wonder, and thought I would check out the internet and see if they could be found anywhere. I was very surprised! On Amazon, I found a pack of about 5 backscratchers for less than $10 – all of them with curved little bamboo fingernails and a little red ribbon run through a hole on the other end. Of course I ordered them, and after a couple of days, I spent time spreading them out across the house – I found myself actually putting them next to my pairs of reading glasses that have also been strategically placed so I can reach them in order to read the tiny, microscopic print on whatever item I’m trying to use. I’ve actually thought of just hammering a little nail in the walls about 20 feet apart, and hanging the glasses there. I suppose I could put a second nail and just suspend the back scratcher next to it. I’m sure Cheri would enjoy that decorating plan… One thing I have had to insist, however, is that if anyone uses one of the cherished backscratchers, that they stand in that one place and take care of business. You see, in our home, there is tendency to wander from room to room, sort of like going on the Grand Tour of Europe, and carrying the back scratcher with them, until they get tired of the scratch. Then, of course, their next move is to place the scratcher down in a non-authorized location, mindlessly unaware that where the scratcher originally was now has an empty, potentially heart-breaking situation. When I go to get a scratcher, in one of the prescribed locations, and it’s not there, then no one is happy, and we have to go through the lecture of placement of scratchers once again. I expect you can imagine that the other members of the family are not committed to this important work, and there may come – dare I say it – derisive remarks! I just want something I can depend on… Of course, beyond the artificial bamboo fingers, perhaps the finest back scratching comes when my dearly beloved spouse is nearby, and I get consumed by that one itchy spot on my back, and I gently and softly make the request, “Honey, could you scratch my back for a minute?” Depending on what she is doing, the response could actually be a “sure – just a second…” I have to say that we all have particular ways of silently showing love to one another. I will often heat up her mug of water to near boiling for her to drink – just water, but that’s what she wants. I’ll fill up her car, and make supper and all sorts of things. She is equally kind, and one of the best things is to have her scratch my back, and rub my shoulders, and show her love. I think that’s why, in Genesis, the scripture reads that the man and woman will become one. It’s probably to make sure that backs will be scratched. I hope you have a way to scratch that itch from time to time. Even if it means investing in bamboo sharp fingers, it’s nice to have. Of course, if there is someone who loves you enough to take care of that itch, then consider yourself even more blessed, to know you are loved. Word for the day: discombobulate. Pronounced dis-com-BOB-you-late. That’s a pretty big five-syllable word, that actually has no true ancient root to it. It’s one of those words that came out in the early 1800s in America, and the word itself gives us a clue to its meaning. The word sounds like it is all over the place, and actually it means “to upset or embarrass,” but also “to befuddle, or mix up, or confuse.” In many comedic films, especially ones with the Marx Brothers or other funny moments, there is usually a situation of discombobulation. The old “Who’s on First?” with Abbott and Costello is a prime example of today’s word. Of course, you could always use an even rarer word, and take time to “combobulate” in your life. That would mean you would take a moment to compose yourself, and to get rid of all the confusion and loose ends. “I feel perfectly combobulated, so let’s get on with it…” Try that one today!
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AuthorAfter 43 years of ministry, Randy Cross lived his "fourth life" and shared about retirement, living boldly and intentionally in our world. To be sure, there was some North Dakota thrown in. Archives
March 2023
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