(Saturday)
“Hi, Daddy.” The happy welcome had come from the mouth of a tiny, redheaded five-year-old who was nowhere to be seen. “Can you see me?” Her father had just stepped out of his vehicle and was standing in the driveway finally home from a long day of working. “Hi,” he replied looking around the yard, “where are you?” “Up here!”
He looked up and up and up until his heart fell into his stomach. There in the smallest branches of the tallest pine in the neighborhood perched his fearless child. As her adventurous nature collided with his rush of adrenalin, his mind pounded with a flurry of thoughts. The twigs beneath her would never hold his weight so climbing up to her was out of the question. Running to get a ladder was also a dreaded option since that would mean taking his eyes off of her – not to mention he didn’t have a 30-foot ladder at the house. Even in her company, he felt very alone.
“Are you ok up there?” He worked hard to keep his voice from betraying his terror. “YES!” “Can you get down by yourself?” The second it took her to answer felt like years to him. “Sure.” “Then climb on down now, ok?” “Ok, Daddy!” Now came the hard part. Could he catch her if she fell? To drop her would be unthinkable. Could he bear to watch her climb down? To look away would be worse.
He held his breath while his little dare-devil scampered limb from limb and expertly made her way to the ground. When both of her tiny pink shoes touched down, she stood before him with a grin of accomplishment. She felt she could conquer the world; he felt he had just gone ten rounds against a heavyweight world champion. He exhaled an exhausted sigh of relief that she was safe. Both of them had been changed forever, yet she wasn’t finished. “Daddy, we have to move now.”
Exasperation replaced his earlier fear as he gazed down into those innocent piercing blue eyes. He would do anything for this girl, but move? A breathy “Why?” was all he could manage. “Because, Daddy, I’ve climbed every tree in this yard!” Away she skipped to her next escapade, the sun beaming off her shiny red mane. Whether it was her thrill-seeking nature or her flawless reasoning, he couldn’t say. What he knew was that she somehow seemed a little older today… and he would never be the same.
In the Gospel of Mark, we are treated to the account of Jesus going high up on a mountain with Peter, James and John. They are alone where no one can reach them when Jesus is transfigured before their eyes. The fully human and the fully divine collide to create a moment of adrenalin and pounding thoughts for the three disciples who simply stand by helpless and terrified. Jesus has changed before their eyes, and none of them will ever be the same. Peter, not knowing how to respond, finds that a breathy suggestion is all he can manage. Just as the redhead felt a need to make a huge life-changing move, Peter in some way needs to commemorate this occasion before skipping away.
During these next few weeks of Lent, may my sense of adventure take me to heights I’ve never climbed in an effort to fully experience my commemorative journey toward Jerusalem. And when I feel helpless and alone, may my fear be replaced with a desire for more… more love, more dedication, more Jesus.
Still climbing,
Pastor Beth
PRAYER FROM PSALM 19
You are God’s chosen Son, Lord Jesus. Please help us listen to you. Help us open our hearts to your grace. Help us believe; help us love. We are small and we become afraid. Show us your dazzling glory hidden in the hum-drum of our wondrous, everyday lives. Though we are sinners, make us one with you; and let us bring your life, death and resurrection to all people. Amen.
(from re:worship)
KEY VERSES FROM TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 19 – The Lord’s Instruction is perfect, reviving one’s very being. The Lord’s laws are faithful, making naive people wise. The Lord’s regulations are right, gladdening the heart. The Lord’s commands are pure, giving light to the eyes.
Exodus 19 – Even the priests who come near to the Lord must keep themselves holy, or the Lord will break loose against them.
Mark 9 – Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and brought them to the top of a very high mountain where they were alone. He was transformed in front of them, and his clothes were amazingly bright, brighter than if they had been bleached white.
For today’s full scripture readings, click here… https://www.divinestreet.org/lent-scripture.html
“Hi, Daddy.” The happy welcome had come from the mouth of a tiny, redheaded five-year-old who was nowhere to be seen. “Can you see me?” Her father had just stepped out of his vehicle and was standing in the driveway finally home from a long day of working. “Hi,” he replied looking around the yard, “where are you?” “Up here!”
He looked up and up and up until his heart fell into his stomach. There in the smallest branches of the tallest pine in the neighborhood perched his fearless child. As her adventurous nature collided with his rush of adrenalin, his mind pounded with a flurry of thoughts. The twigs beneath her would never hold his weight so climbing up to her was out of the question. Running to get a ladder was also a dreaded option since that would mean taking his eyes off of her – not to mention he didn’t have a 30-foot ladder at the house. Even in her company, he felt very alone.
“Are you ok up there?” He worked hard to keep his voice from betraying his terror. “YES!” “Can you get down by yourself?” The second it took her to answer felt like years to him. “Sure.” “Then climb on down now, ok?” “Ok, Daddy!” Now came the hard part. Could he catch her if she fell? To drop her would be unthinkable. Could he bear to watch her climb down? To look away would be worse.
He held his breath while his little dare-devil scampered limb from limb and expertly made her way to the ground. When both of her tiny pink shoes touched down, she stood before him with a grin of accomplishment. She felt she could conquer the world; he felt he had just gone ten rounds against a heavyweight world champion. He exhaled an exhausted sigh of relief that she was safe. Both of them had been changed forever, yet she wasn’t finished. “Daddy, we have to move now.”
Exasperation replaced his earlier fear as he gazed down into those innocent piercing blue eyes. He would do anything for this girl, but move? A breathy “Why?” was all he could manage. “Because, Daddy, I’ve climbed every tree in this yard!” Away she skipped to her next escapade, the sun beaming off her shiny red mane. Whether it was her thrill-seeking nature or her flawless reasoning, he couldn’t say. What he knew was that she somehow seemed a little older today… and he would never be the same.
In the Gospel of Mark, we are treated to the account of Jesus going high up on a mountain with Peter, James and John. They are alone where no one can reach them when Jesus is transfigured before their eyes. The fully human and the fully divine collide to create a moment of adrenalin and pounding thoughts for the three disciples who simply stand by helpless and terrified. Jesus has changed before their eyes, and none of them will ever be the same. Peter, not knowing how to respond, finds that a breathy suggestion is all he can manage. Just as the redhead felt a need to make a huge life-changing move, Peter in some way needs to commemorate this occasion before skipping away.
During these next few weeks of Lent, may my sense of adventure take me to heights I’ve never climbed in an effort to fully experience my commemorative journey toward Jerusalem. And when I feel helpless and alone, may my fear be replaced with a desire for more… more love, more dedication, more Jesus.
Still climbing,
Pastor Beth
PRAYER FROM PSALM 19
You are God’s chosen Son, Lord Jesus. Please help us listen to you. Help us open our hearts to your grace. Help us believe; help us love. We are small and we become afraid. Show us your dazzling glory hidden in the hum-drum of our wondrous, everyday lives. Though we are sinners, make us one with you; and let us bring your life, death and resurrection to all people. Amen.
(from re:worship)
KEY VERSES FROM TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 19 – The Lord’s Instruction is perfect, reviving one’s very being. The Lord’s laws are faithful, making naive people wise. The Lord’s regulations are right, gladdening the heart. The Lord’s commands are pure, giving light to the eyes.
Exodus 19 – Even the priests who come near to the Lord must keep themselves holy, or the Lord will break loose against them.
Mark 9 – Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and brought them to the top of a very high mountain where they were alone. He was transformed in front of them, and his clothes were amazingly bright, brighter than if they had been bleached white.
For today’s full scripture readings, click here… https://www.divinestreet.org/lent-scripture.html