Saturday, January 7, 2012

I don't even know what to title this.

I set down my backpack full of PGRE study books on the couch and walked through the back of the coffee shop, the part full of bookshelves, with notes from the owners marking their favorite stories. I went over to say hi to the group of kids, the owners' grandkids and some other regulars, who were playing hide and seek among the tables piled with books by Buechner, Nouwen, and Lewis.

Aiden, age 8, told me, "I'm freezing you!". He held his arms out straight in front of him, frowning in concentration, clearly zapping magical freezing powers my way. I froze in place, my leg picked up in the air mid-step, my mouth half-open.

Mariza, age 7, told me, "You're invisible!". She waved her arms hazily in my direction, and I crouched below the table nearest me: invisible.

Bridget, age 5, pointed at me but wavered, thinking hard. "You... you..." she smiled with satisfaction as it came to her. "Now you love everybody in the world!".

Without hesitation they all ran to me and gave me hugs.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Wow! What a beautifully wonderfully special moment for you and those precious children! It warms my heart to hear of you playing along and I'm sure as you did, their little faces lit up with delight as they must have thought, "I did it!! She's really frozen...invisible...LOVES EVERYONE IN THE WORLD!!!" God bless you and your special little group of friends sister!

Human Needs Global Resources Covenant, 2009

As fellow travelers on this journey, we commit to this covenant before God. Lord, in Your mercy, hear these our prayers:

When confronted with scarcity, need, and inadequacy, may we be nourished by the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation. Abundance overflows from Your table, sustaining all who come in faith. Father, help us.

When monotony blurs our vision and dulls our senses, may we encounter others as Christ did, through intentional presence in daily life, submitting as clay to be formed into vessels filled with the Spirit. Christ, guide us.

When wounded by the fractured condition of Your people, may we be united by Your Lordship in faith, hope, and love; seeing, as through the facets of a diamond, the beautiful spectrum of Your light reflected onto Your holy Church joined in praise. Spirit, empower us.

When all Creation groans, afflicted by injustice and driven to despair, may the promise of redemption root us in the hope of Your Kingdom: "Behold, I am making all things new!"

Holy Trinity, send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve You with gladness and singleness of heart.

Amen.