It was literally the last day of the last week of the last month of summer. Cyndy and I, along with Cassie and Devon, and our granddaughter, Emerson, were parked at the Anderson Island ferry station, waiting for the ferry from Steilacoom, WA to arrive and transport our little car and its precious cargo back to Snohomish, WA and on Wednesday of that next week, Emerson would be starting school. Moving up from last year and into First grade.
To be honest with you I don’t even think Emerson wanted that ferry to arrive! We had just had a glorious week of kayaking, swimming, and even fishing (yes we even caught a couple) on the two little freshwater lakes on the Island. And when we weren’t doing that, we were combing the beach for sand dollars, and crabs, and yes, even dolphins and Orcas! On that Saturday it had been a beaming 84 degrees and sunny. You really could not ask for better!
And so, as we waited in our cars, Emerson hopped out and asked, “One last walk on the beach, Pops?” And before I could say yes, everyone in both cars was out of our seats and headed for the beach. In fact, I think we were hoping we would miss that ferry!
As we walked the beach, Emerson took her mom’s hand and mine and we walked and listened. Not for Orcas this time, but for some reason we were all leaning towards Emerson. She was on a roll! Suddenly she stopped, and as her left hand let go of mom and her right hand let go of Pops, she lifted her hands into the air as if she were the world's greatest preacher and as she did she declared this: “Pops! Look at this ocean. It is so big and wide and powerful. It holds whales and dolphins and seals and sea lions. It is so so powerful. But, Poppa, as big and powerful as the ocean is. It’s not the most powerful thing in the world. You know what is? Love, Poppa. Love is more powerful than anything else. Even the ocean!"
And it was then that her gigantic gesters suddenly shrunk down to size as she let go of the ocean and embraced each of our hands. And as she took our hands into hers, we were all washed over by just a little wave of silence as all five of us held each sacred hand in love. And as we did, Cassie whispered to Emerson. “Deep. Kiddo. Deep.”
Just then the ferry approached, and we headed back to worship services, and board meetings, and car problems, and mission projects, and employee one on ones, and budget convos, and meeting a new first grade class teacher, and sitting next to one of our beloveds who had just lost a daughter, and a mom, and facing a world increasingly divided on right and left. And suddenly the world seemed like one big noisy gong again.
But as we faced all of that "noise" that was to become, we knew one thing was true. And that truth was enough…just enough. Because as powerful as all that stuff ahead of us was…there was one thing that was more powerful…and if we entered into it together…we would win…love.
Yes, dear Emerson, you’re 6 ½ year old brain is "deep, kiddo, deep." But because of it and you and little ones like you, we can get through…and even more…get to the other side as better people, as a better church, as a better, more inclusive community, as a better and united country, and as a world that has grown one 6 1/2 year old step closer to the kin-dom God so wished when we were created out of the sea, and muck, and chaos.
Your pastor and friend, ready to breach into a Fall-full of love, Brook
13 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor 13