Emerge
Get out of bed, Jerusalem! Wake up. Put your face in the sunlight. . . . The whole earth is wrapped in darkness, all people sunk in deep darkness, but God rises on you, God’s sunrise glory breaks over you.
-selected verses from Isaiah 60:1-6
This still April morning, the sun is shining on the messy, grass growing, sticks from winter, muddy back yard outside my window. It is gorgeous. After snow upon snow upon rain upon snow that left me feeling frustrated and somewhat discouraged, I give thanks for this resurrection morning. Easter weekend, I made the mistake of putting a hanging geranium outside the front door. It looked so bright and happy on the front of the house, and in welcoming my family, it made me happy. Unfortunately, it was forgotten on Easter Eve, and the picture here is the result, frozen.
It is so much easier to see the possibilities when the sun is shining, and the promise of warmth is shining on the world. That is this morning. Flowers are blooming - leaves are beginning to create that green haze on the trees.
I love to be outside, and I look forward to some of the work that it takes to create a park-like environment outside my home. I love to experience the newness and beauty of what God has in mind. I love to experience what God has in mind for you and for many in this season called Eastertide. Our worship series for the coming weeks is called Emerge - and one of the mantras, the prayer that is included, is the one that follows. I wonder if we might pray it - when we feel like my geranium, pray it; when we feel like we’re facing great decisions or obstacles, pray it; when life is good, and we are hopeful, pray it; when we want to know that God is present, pray it.
Form me...
hold me...
open me...
unfold me...
unfurl me...
untether me...
uncurl me...
uncrease me...
unwrap me...
With love and gratitude as we find ourselves in full bloom, a little wilted, waiting to open or hidden beneath the soil.
Pastor Cathy
