Putting In, Taking Out

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Apparently the Hokey Cokey has been around for over two hundred years. In some countries it’s ‘Hokey Pokey’ or ‘Hokey Tokey’. In Denmark, it’s the Boogie Woogie. Nineteenth century Scots called it the ‘Hinkumbooby’.

Whatever.

‘You put your right foot in, you put your right foot out, In, out, in, out, you shake it all about…’

Before it comes out it must first be put in.

Yesterday at Men’s Shed we had a fund raising event in memory of our friend Chris’ son, who sadly died of cancer. It included a raffle…

I put in… contributing a bottle of red wine as a prize… buying some raffle tickets…

I took out… winning a scented ‘Marks and Spencer’ candle ‘with a fragrance containing essential oils of lavender, eucalyptus, vetiver and jasmine which are considered to have restful and relaxing properties.’

More important Chris ‘took out’, raising £250 for his cancer charity.  

A traveller enters a village, carrying an empty cooking pot. Filling the pot with water, he drops a large stone in it. He places it over a fire, explaining to curious villagers that he’s making wonderful ‘stone soup’. He’d be delighted to share it…

One villager contributes a few carrots, another adds some onions. In this way potatoes, turnips… vegetables, meat… are all added. Finally, the stone’s removed from the pot, and delicious soup is enjoyed by the traveller and villagers.

What was taken out depended on what was put in.

One of my favourite songs is The Eagles’ ‘Desperado’. Song-writer Don Henley said it was written as a tribute to the lone cowboy, the desperado in the Old West.

It’s a song about taking risks, finding courage, pursuing dreams, embracing the unknown, taking chances… putting something into life to get something out. The song concludes:

It may be rainin’
But there’s a rainbow above you
You better let somebody love you…
Before it’s too late.

To give love you must receive love; to take love out you must first put it in.

10 thoughts on “Putting In, Taking Out”

  2. Such disparate elements–a charity event, childhood game, a classic story, and a popular song–yet you bring them together with an important central message. Our Savior put in his all; in appreciation I aspire to put in every chance he extends to me. Lord, may I be sensitive to your prodding! (Thank you, Malcolm!)

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  3. I’m saving this, Malcolm. Your posts always hit straight to the heart and soul. I want to be overflowing and giving out. He’s putting in and I best put out the best. Stone Soup–one of my favorite stories. I’m sorry to hear of your friend’s son. My favorite live concert was The Eagles (before Glenn died). Desperado is a favorite of mine, too. I grew up on Gospel music–old country…and The Eagles being played often (and still). God bless you, Malcolm.

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    1. Exactly, Karla. It hit me again as I was writing this that we can only be overflowing if there’s something to overflow – so there must be some intake. The Eagles are still one of my favourite bands. They still sound good. Vince Gill fits in well…

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      1. Malcolm, we have much in common. Vince Gill performed in Springfield about 3-4 years ago and I saw him, too. Smooth as silk vocals, great lyrics…another favorite. Amen to the overflowing Spirit! Many blessings! Take care!

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    1. ‘Stone soup’ is always worth returning to. It has important truth that I need to be reminded of, Julie. I’ve come back to Desperado many times over the years. Each time it has something to say… often it’s an encouragement for me to stop making excuses.

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