Tonight was the Wednesday Midweek Lenten Study on There Is Power In Forgiveness. One never is quite sure whether such Lenten discipline offerings will be well received or easily ignored. This one, at least for the first week, has been well received.
What was one of the greatest gifts of the evening, though, was Michael. Michael is 6 years old, attending with his sister who is in Confirmation (and for whom these mid-week gatherings are mandatory) and his mother. While all of the grown-ups watched the DVD and discussed the place of forgiveness in their own life experience, Michael listened. In the midst of folks identifying what forgiveness means to them (in one or two word descriptions), Michael held up his hand and offered that, to him, forgiveness is like 'flowers'.
The 'Lily of the Valley', (aka, Michael) opened forth in that room and the fragrance was fairly intoxicating and delicious. For a moment, forgiving and being forgiven had something to do with flowers blossoming and sharing their beauty in the gentle breeze of a springtime afternoon. Smiles broadened and knowing laughter graced our lives as the Spirit spoke through the child in the midst of Jesus' disciples.
Were that not enough, at the end of the evening, as we prepared to sing a hymn written to the tune, Tallis' Canon, I asked for any one of our choir members to help me lead the group in singing the hymn in a round, which the Canon allows. Some were sick and coughing, others looked down at their feet, others seemed to be screwing up their courage, when a little voice piped up from the center of the room, "I'll help you, Pastor Don!" as Michael made his way towards me.
"And a little child shall lead them . . ." is the text that sprang to mind. Adults have to study forgiveness and ponder whether or not they want to give that whole notion of vulnerability any serious space in their lives. Six year old Michael, flower opening fully and powerfully, jumped right in with his voice, his love and his grace. 'God With Us' is Jesus, the Child born in Bethlehem. 'God With Us' is the child who leads them . . . leads them home in the wonder of God's forgiving grace through Christ.
We may not be able to muster the courage to speak our flowers of forgiveness and shower the world with our songs of praise, but God's Presence in Michael revealed to us the way in this evening's gathering shadows. He may feel like he 'got to help Pastor Don', yet, from where I am, I am humbled and privileged to have had the opportunity to sing with Michael, for surely he is one of God's special angels among us.
Want to see forgiveness and hear its voice? Look at the flowers and listen to the Child sing.
Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Don
1 comment:
Michael was so cute last night. And he was right because forgiveness is like flowers. I hope more people attend next week, because last night really gave me a lot to think about. I know that these next few weeks will be just as thought provoking as last night.
Post a Comment