| Sunny Side Up March 1, 2006 �2006, Kathleen Gibson Following God...from up close A gangly teenager took my ten-month old grandson from me at a recent gathering, the wind-up for a theater production our family had participated in. Oh, not 'took', as in with force. He spoke with us for a moment, then held out his hand. Already standing, supported by my fingers, Benjamin reached for the new ones, took a step, then two. His new friend bent low; slowly began walking backwards. Benjamin followed. They took a lap around the clear area behind where the rest of the crowd sat. Benjamin toddled, wobbly as a daisy in the wind. The young man, a lighting technician, I believe, bent almost double and matched his steps with Benjamin's small shuffling ones. I leaned against the stage, watching this unlikely pair. Their eyes communicated; the baby's adoring, trusting; the young man's gentle, encouraging. I don't know what that fellow was thinking during that lap. And Benjamin will never remember the partner who stepped him around the back quarter of the Legion Hall on West Broadway. I will though. There are moments in life that freeze you, stick their images tight to the pages of your internal scrapbooks. Many are serendipitous, unexpected and inexplicable. Like the time as a child when our family car passed under a low overpass on the way into Vancouver, and I thought, for some childish reason, 'I will remember this moment all my life.' Nothing made that moment memorable, but I've never forgotten it. The image of Benjamin holding tight to the fingers of that young man stuck like that. I didn't realize why until later. When I 'walk' Benjamin, I usually stand behind him, holding his fingers. He strikes out on his own, and I follow, guiding him gently around corners, away from danger and obstacles. His new friend led from in front, still guiding, but with his eyes as much as his hands. Only a few minutes before my grandbean had set out for all points of the compass, exploring everything and distracted by everything. Before him now stood a more compelling interest. As long as that young man filled his vision, Benjamin willingly followed wherever he led. "The Lord is my Shepherd," we recite, blithely. "He leads me beside still waters...." The 23rd Psalm always gave me two images. God's back, up ahead. Scouting the path for both provision and enemies. Or God, far to the rear, watching my back and leading from behind, as shepherds also do. Guiding with his voice and protecting with his rod. Emblazoned on my soul today is a third image of how God leads. His favorite way, I'll bet. As close as my breath. Bent double over my toddling steps, his eyes meeting mine, our hands linked. My entire sight line is filled with him only, and I'm content to allow him to choose my path. "Turn your eyes upon Jesus," the old hymn says, "look full in his wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim�." Respond Home |
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