A Tale of Two Elis

First, the serious tale.

O Eli, there’s a sanctity in your innocence
A certain beauty and no uncertain strength
That brings me to the faith, I don’t know if I,
If I am climbing to or falling in,
But it comes like grace from your tiny hands
When I hold you in mine . . .

From Eli’s Song, by Rich Mullins

Around 8:30 Wednesday morning, my friend Kate called in a bit of a bind. Could I possibly watch her eight-month-old son, Eli, for a few hours? Of course I could, I said. My reasons for agreeing were threefold:

1. To help Kate. (I’m not completely selfish, people.)
2. To enjoy some cuddle time with an adorable baby.
3. To play with my new camera. (Okay, I am selfish. I admit this was the main reason I jumped at the opportunity.)

Before I tell you about my time with Eli, I need to explain something. I’m participating in an interesting group Bible study right now. It’s called SoulPerSuit, and all the discussion takes place online. The stages of the study are named for aspects of a card game: shuffle the deck, deal the cards, play your hand. An important element of the SoulPerSuit format involves using all five senses. Artistic expression is encouraged, and projects often incorporate the use of playing cards. The ladies photograph or scan their creations and post them to the group’s site along with an explanation of their inspiration.

We’re studying the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7), which Jesus preached early on in his public ministry. He was still popular at this point, and lots of Jews hoped He would usher in a political kingdom. His sermon here was an attempt to educate them otherwise.

I’ve been sincerely impressed with the artwork some of the study participants have been producing. Unfortunately I fell a bit behind in the study because, (a) my book arrived late, and (b) I was wrapped up in last weekend’s 50s show. So, when Eli showed up Wednesday morning, I hadn’t created any art based on the first week of the study. I decided to make photography my medium and let Eli be my model.

I’d been thinking about Jesus’ statement, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Who’s more pure in heart than a baby? With that thought in mind, I sat Eli in a chair, gave him some playing cards, and starting clicking.

Eli stared at the cards in fascination. He tasted them. He bent them. He ran his little fingers across the slick surface. In short, he took the hand I dealt him and didn’t question its value. He explored it in every way he could. And I learned.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they do not look at their neighbor’s hand and say, “Hey, he has three kings, and I only have a lousy pair of sixes.” They see their cards as a rare and precious gift. They marvel at the colors. They taste and touch and enjoy what they have without questioning its value. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they take the hand they’re dealt without complaint and choose to enjoy it, believing in the goodness of the One who gave. Blessed are the pure in heart, for in accepting His gifts with unwavering trust in His goodness, they shall see God.

Eli taught me that.

And now for the silly tale. (If you have a high-speed connection, do click on the individual pictures. This is one beautiful child.)

O, Eli, there’s a joy in your sweet abandon
Like the cowgirl ballerina leaves that ride
The wild and holy bucking wind to the sky.