March 28, 2022
“I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.” Philippians 3:14The Message
Last week was a bit like the beginning of A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness.” Those words, in Dicken’s seminal novel about the French Revolution are fitting words for these times as well.
The best of times. Last week our two younger granddaughters, Anne-Sophie (who will be 8 on April 2) and Marie-Hélène, (5) enjoyed their Spring Break at our house. We spent hours on Monday and Tuesday at Seven Bends State Park. Over two days we had a picnic lunch; collected stones and shells and a water sample that yielded two tadpoles; hiking with Kiko; and participating in a scavenger hunt created specifically for the park. We were glad we didn’t find a bear, fox, or skunk!
On rainy Wednesday, we spent much of the day in the basement, doing different art projects, playing with two large shipping boxes, putting on puppet shows, and playing indoor hockey and basketball. But the highlight was when the girls put on their roller skates and helmets and played roller hockey and basketball. It was belly-laugh-worthy, two little girls with their crazy helmets and skates, going for goal! They had their eyes on the goal, were off and skating, no turning back. A link to a hysterical video of the girls sinking shots in basketball is at the bottom of this meditation.
And the worst of times. My husband Rod tested positive for COVID on Wednesday morning. He most likely was exposed at the NCAA National Wrestling Championships in Detroit the previous weekend. Once we learned of his positive test, Rod isolated, we stayed as far away as possible, and masked. Rod is doing well, his symptoms are gone, and he had a negative test yesterday. So far, the girls have tested negative, and were able to go to school today. Unfortunately, I tested positive on Sunday. I have mild symptoms and will see my PCP today as a precaution. As you might imagine, I have had all kinds of emotions and thoughts. Grief has been a regular guest for the past three weeks. Worry and anger to the fierce protectiveness of a provoked Mama bear have been very present as well. It’s hard. My prayers are of the “help” variety, not lengthy or lovely, but moans from the bottom of my gut.
But when I put the worst and best of times together, the best wins out. I think it is part of what Paul means when he encourages his friends to keep their eye on the goal – on Jesus – off and running and no turning back.
No turning back!
Pastor Anne
https://www.dropbox.com/s/pb5gf9plt0xxxa8/Roller Basketball.MOV?dl=0
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