“Only a pipe dream?”

By Rev. Michael Stonhouse

Meditation – Thursday, October 12, 2023

Psalm 133 (Forward, p. 75) CEV p. 637

The Oxford Dictionary describes a ‘pipe dream’ as ‘unattainable or fanciful hope or plan and certainly the situation described or envisioned in today’s psalm sounds like such a ‘creature’. People, even relatives or fellow adherents in faith, living together in harmony certainly sounds like a pipe dream. Think of the horrendous military conflicts now engulfing our world, such as the recent one in Israel/ Palestine or the ongoing one in Ukraine. Or think of the legislative ‘spats’, the political ones, presently taking place in the United States and elsewhere. Or, closer to home, the nasty and ongoing disputes that erupt in otherwise ‘sane’ families over questions of favouritism and inheritance. Or, what about the churches? Christendom has a ‘history’ of division, and so too does the church community in Lloydminster, a city basically ‘built’ upon division. Almost every church and denomination here has some sort of heritage or history of a church split.

What is interesting—and informative—is that this unity and harmony described within today’s psalm come, not through any human endeavour but almost entirely through the action of God Himself:

-it is described as the olive oil that was used to anoint Aaron as high priest over his people, that is, God’s bestowal of grace, and God’s richest blessing upon his ministry—which, to me, at very least, says something of the restorative and healing ministry of God’s appointed leaders, particularly the pastors;

-it is described as the heavy dews from Mount Hermon, far to the north, that envelop and water the mountains of Zion, bringing much needed moisture and refreshment for its people and plants. This is solely the initiative and prerogative of the Lord.

So, maybe there is a part we can play in this after all, and maybe, just maybe, it doesn’t have to be just a pipe dream. However, it doesn’t seem to be much of a possibility in the near future. Nevertheless, I will try to do my part, and invite others to do the same.

Forward notes: “Oh, how good and pleasant it is, when brethren live together in unity” (verse 1).

“While I have not experienced living with extended family under one roof, I witnessed the benefits of generations of family living together when I was in elementary school. A close friend lived with her parents and one set of grandparents. I would go to her house for a playdate, and her mother or grandmother would make us a snack or a meal, depending on the time of day. I still remember the smells that permeated their kitchen.

“While the grandparents’ English level was quite limited, they showed their love and feeding my friend and, by extension, me and many others who come over for a visit. On more than one occasion, they would prepare large meals for many of our schoolmates and their families for dinner parties. Their multigenerational home was a beacon of hospitality and live, a tangible expression of the psalmist’s words.”

Moving Forward: “What are some of the benefits of multigenerational households? What are some of the challenges?”