Life’s Little Blessings
Ash Wednesday was a day of blessings…and ultimately, those blessings are available to us every day, if only we take advantage of these moments when they present themselves.
During worship, we set up a table with Model Magic, again, so those (young and old) with difficulties sitting still and being contemplative could engage in creativity while seeking the Divine. Maranda was already at work…and waiting on me so we could go through the stations together.
When it was time to go through the stations, we invited Gracie to join us. She was a little unsure of what to expect, but Maranda took her through them all and helped her along the way.
After completing the stations of worship, they returned to the Model Magic table together. They had a brilliant idea to make a large cross together and invite worshipers to add their initials to their masterpiece. When asking me for permission, they explained it like this: “We thought, that since Jesus died on the cross for our sins, we could make a cross, and as people come back inside after burning their sins in the fire pit, they could put their initials on the cross…because, you know it’s for all of us.” It was the easiest ‘yes’ answer I have ever given. We added another station…right then, right there. When it was time to offer the benediction for our worship time together, I invited those in the congregation who had not had a chance to visit this last, added station, to stop by and add their names to the cross. My words were choked by my emotions. I was overwhelmed with the thin space between God and humanity which presented itself to me in my encounter with these girls.
The complexities of atonement are troubling and confusing for most of us and Christians have struggled with this concept for millennia. But for these budding theologians, they have decided to enter into that realm where we seek Holy encounters and insights in moments of contemplation. Our Lenten theme this year is unity. Perhaps unity might also be accomplished this season when we make efforts to learn from those we usually teach.
Blessings,
Tracy