PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND

February 13, 2022

OBSERVATION

In The Sign of Four Sherlock Holmes tells Doctor Watson that there are three qualities necessary for an ideal detective: observation, knowledge and deduction. (The Complete Sherlock Holmes, p. 93)  These three qualities also make for an interesting life and enjoyable passtimes.  Over the next three weeks I would like to have a look at each of them.  This week’s focus will be observation.

Holmes was a keen observer of the minutest details of his surroundings. In The Hound of the Baskervilles he tells Watson “the world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes.” (The Complete Sherlock Holmes, p. 799) Again in “The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier” Sherlock tells James Mc Dodd “I see no more than you, but I have trained myself to notice what I see.” (The Complete Sherlock Holmes, p. 1180)

We find an interesting example of one of Holmes’s observations in The Adventure of the Creeping Man. “A dog reflects the family life.  Whoever saw a frisky dog in a gloomy family, or a sad dog in a happy one? Snarling people have snarling dogs, dangerous people have dangerous ones.  And their passing moods may reflect the passing moods of others.” (The Complete Sherlock Holmes, p. 1262)

In my reading of the gospels I find Jesus to be a keen observer of his surroundings.  On his way to Jerusalem for the last time he notices Zacchaeus in a tree. (Luke 19:1-10)  Jesus noticed when a woman touches the hem of His garment so that she might be healed. (Luke 8:40-48) In the stories of the feeding of the 5,000 and the 4,000 Jesus is aware that the people need something to eat.  When He visits the Temple Jesus takes note of the others who are there. (Mark 12:41-48)

In His teaching Jesus invites His audience to take note of the objects in their surroundings and see the lessons they have to teach.  In the Sermon on the Mount He says, “look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. …  Consider the lilies of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you – you of little faith.” (Mat. 6:26a, b, 28a)  Jesus tells parables about lampstands and bushel baskets, growing seeds, mustard seeds, weeds among the wheat, yeast, lost sheep, lost coins and fig trees.  Observing our surroundings suggests that we might discover the Kingdom of God breaking into our midst  and God speaking to us His word of grace, mercy, joy and love.

In The Hound of the Baskervilles Holmes tells Sir Henry Baskerville “I think anything out of the ordinary routine of life will be worth reporting.” (The Complete Sherlock Holmes, p. 804)  Paying attention to things out of the ordinary in our environment can warn us of danger or they can provide us with a serendipity that will give our day a lift.  Jesus told His followers that daily they should have their eyes and ears open to what God might reveal to them.

Last summer I did a series of articles, “Love Where You Live,” based on Melody Warnick’s book This Is Where You Belong.  You can find them on web page musingsfromthehertland.com.  They were published on Wednesdays starting on June 2 and ending with August 18.  A common theme for all of them was to slow done and get to know where you live.  By doing so one might better observe their surroundings and come to love the place where they now live.

I enjoy working in my yard and garden.  Observation plays an important part in my work.  I have to be ever on guard for something that might be attacking my plants.  Being aware of the weather is critical.  It is important to observe when crops are ready to be harvested.  Winter is a great time to peruse seed catalogues and make plans for the coming growing season.  Spring is a time to have a look  at the plants that are being offered and to look for sales.

A quality that is helpful to lead an interesting life, to enjoy pass times and to experience God’s many blessings is observation.  May those who have the ears to hear, let them hear.  May those who have the eyes to see, let them see.