#45.7, Thurs., June 15, 2023

Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges

         I’m tempted to lecture little Simon on the assurance that God is with him even though silent. I would tell him that, but he isn’t asking me to send him God. And really, for any of us, it is only God who can answer the longing.

         The best I could say is, “I love you Simon, please know your Papa loves you.” I can only trust that God will speak for God’s self as I have always known to be the nature of God, though it is so rarely a voice that rattles the house and speaks in the familiar language. This thirst-quenching Word comes more often as a wordless knowing from the depths of soul. Is that what little Simon is listening for?

         I wake to hear Greg and Gabe are home and Ana is greeting them with “Shhh, your Papa is sleeping.”

         What a shabby welcome home that is!  These days I’m much better than when they left.  So, I get myself up to give them a proper welcome. Ana is preparing a homecoming meal. And I can be the one to bring the water from the well. It’s been a while since I’ve been any help at all for this family. 

         Simon meets me at the well, and he draws up the water. He carries the heavy pail to the door and sets it just outside so that I can heft it into the house, as though it was all done by my strength alone. Ana gives me a scolding look.  In all his quiet observation little Simon knows that I need not let his brothers see how slow is my healing.

         It’s wonderful to have this family altogether at the table for this meal.

         To bless the food, I offer thanks to God for an itemized listing of gracious gifts – beans enough for porridge — water, pure and fresh — safe journeys for Greg and Gabe — and I think I accidentally spoke aloud my hope they stay home now until they are fully grown. Whatever it was I said, Ana kicked my shin under the table to tell me to hone my words less selfishly. She has already heard them bubbling with a new kind of enthusiasm — hopes and dreams and possibilities. She whispers to me I should listen to their plans before I speak.

(Continues Tuesday, June 20)