University Baptist Church Bloomington, Indiana

November 15, 2011

Beloved:

     “He has totally changed my life,” a young mom told me about her eighteen-month-old son.  She works seven days most weeks, at four pieced-together jobs, to support the two of them.  She showed me a picture; he’s all blue eyes and wispy blonde hair, like a fairy or an angel.  How much she loves him shows in her talk but far more by her walk, by the many hours a week she leaves him in order to love him so well. 

   It’s a short stretch to see in her the same love that drives the Divine on behalf of humanity.  Persistence, constancy, commitment, sacrifice, selflessness, a certain ferocity of love by which mountains are moved and what’s lost is redeemed. 

     The little one is unaware of all that of course.  He knows simple realities like cheerios taste good, my toys are in my room and my mom is here.  Her love is evident in the roof over them, the food before them and her abiding presence beside him. It is proved in the great joy she takes as his provider.

     I am humbled by her devotion and service to what she loves most; by her willingness to do whatever is required for him to be safe and to thrive; and by the intimate connection between her everyday life and the purpose of her life.

     She has no idea, I expect, of the gift she gave me in our five minute conversation. I came away with renewed amazement at God’s love and the privilege it is to live out the purpose of one’s life in the everydayness of family, work, home and community.  I’m grateful.

Peace & prayers, ~ pastor annette