Day 19: Touch Wood: The Myth, the Joke, the Friendship and the Faith

The myth of “Touching wood” is one of the culture shocks I have learned in our sojourn in Ireland. Someone who has had to struggle with a health problem but has enjoyed a period of remission in recent months would be telling us about the remission experience and touching (knocking, actually) wood so that she’s not jinxed. 

I recently worked with a pleasant doctor who, while narrating her experience about something significant, needed to touch wood. No wood within her arm’s length, and she had to give herself a few knocks on the head, saying touch wood. She forgave me for bursting into laughter, and I told her that her very intelligent head wasn’t wood. That’s the joke part, and it should connect shortly.

But hang on for a second; imagine yourself needing to touch wood but jokingly give your spouse a few knocks on the head. What will happen? Would you banter about it or activate the warfare button? On the flip side of the joke is the importance of friendship in marriage. In a marriage where the two people are best friends, you can only imagine the joy and love with which they banter, even with the “war-worthy” issues—pure pleasure. You can be deliberate about flagging off friendship in your home, and it works. Imagine your spouse being your best friend. Such homes are healthier than homes where spouses are not close friends. 

Many people have strong beliefs and faith in diverse mythical practices that they believe to work for them. So, practically speaking - what values and practices do you believe in or hold dearly, and what is your home and faith built on? Theoretically and theologically, we can start quoting the Scriptures at this point. The woman touching wood in our clinic is practically smart. Her mythical beliefs are not stopping her from seeking appropriate services, and although she is fine now, she keeps coming so that she can hopefully remain fine.

Many Christian homes stay at the theoretical and theological levels, whereas God has so much in store for us in seeking relevant services, interventions and treatments. The health of your marriage can be helped if you seek help. We can get so much done to God’s glory with prayers and constructive intervention.

Two of my favourite encounters in the Scriptures are David’s victory over Goliath and Nehemiah’s mission of rebuilding the wall. David and his people faced an existential threat, their God and faith being insulted by a pagan. David rose to the occasion in God’s name and for God’s glory. He was not on Prayer Mountain when he needed to be on the battlefield - armed with the right strategies, faith and heart. So many things in your home could use the right strategic actions, inspired or backed up by prayers and strong faith in God. Prayer alone is not enough in many cases. Take responsibility, and do what is needed to stop the enemy’s ravage in your home.

Nehemiah’s case was different. He was okay, arguably living his dream in Shushan Palace (Neh 1). But he was spurred by the spirit of God and altruism (Neh 1 vs 4; 2 vs 3). He served the Lord and his people by putting himself forward to lead the rebuilding of the wall, regardless of the despisers (Neh 2 vs 10). Many homes around us are struggling; some are obvious, and the height of gossip around us is pretty shocking. End the chain. While praying for such people is laudable (Neh 1 vs 5 - 11), Nehemiah’s prayers alone wouldn’t have been enough to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. He physically rose to the occasion. Our elders and strategically positioned people in our folds can do better in this regard. We have not been called and endowed this much for nothing. Heaven has put us in certain places to watch over God’s people - in prayers and wise interventions.

© Selah Series 2024