Papa, Emery, and Oscar De La Hoya
May
26
Written by:
5/26/2011 3:20 PM
Yesterday was the first swim of the summer—unless, of course, you count walking through the swamp that has become my backyard. We swam for good reason—the family was together to celebrate my Dad’s 70th birthday. To celebrate, my sweet Emery (22 months) kept whacking her head. By the end of the night she looked like she went a round with Oscar De La Hoya.
She was walking along the pool deck—and as typically happens, her eyes saw something she liked and she bolted for it. Again, as typically happens, her mind and her legs didn’t march at the same pace. Emery likes to lead with her head. She did again last night… right into the patio pavers. The tears that flowed were justified if the size of the abrasion on her forehead is any indication of the pain.
How often do you wipe out in life?
The birthday boy came to Emery’s rescue, scooped her up in his arms, and comforted his sweet granddaughter. The two together, Papa and Emmy, made their way back to the water. Yet, no one put out the “caution slippery when wet” sign. Papa stepped into the pool and his foot slid out from under them both. Down went Papa. Down went Emery. Together they made a splash in the water—a grandfather’s love turning and protecting to ensure that the additional tears were from surprise and not pain.
Isn’t this the Christian Community? Someone slips up, trips up, falls down, or gets beat up by the world. It has happened to us all—and will continue to happen to us all. Life is messy and we all have days where we would rather have gone a round with Oscar De La Hoya. But in those moments, a friend, a fellow disciple, and agent of The Big Papa comes and scoops us up, brushes us off, wipes our tears, and sets us back on track. By their hands we are escorted back to the life giving waters. Sometimes we are carried. Sometimes we walk back hand in hand.
And sometimes our rescuer slips. Sometimes the one who helps needs a hand themselves.
That is the joy of the Christian community. We all fall down. We all slip. Too often we land on each other. But we are called to be there together, to support and encourage one another. And to lead each other back… back to the waters that remind us who and whose we are.
And isn’t that the point? To show off our ineptitudes so that Christ might be glorified. His power is revealed in our weakness. His mysterious ways displayed by choosing you and me to be His hands and feet. Think about it. What business do any of us have, in our feeble minds, to offer God’s direction to other sojourners? To think that, in the midst of my slip-ups and break downs, I could offer any direction to others in their stumbling moments is foolish. But, by the grace of God, our foolishness is God’s mysterious way. And by it His power and majesty come to light!
Thanks Papa, for bringing Emery back to the water and for reminding me what the family of faith is all about. Happy Birthday!
Copyright ©2011 Pastor Scott Ness