31 Days of Moving Reflections – Day 17 #SouthFloridaBound

 

Monday, October 17

I’m re-reading yesterday’s church bulletin.

Well, it’s not really a bulletin.

A bulletin outlines an order of service,

tells one what to expect.

We didn’t know what to expect when we

decided to drive into downtown

Fort Lauderdale to visit.

The building itself takes up what must be

half a block. It’s a yellow cake topped

with a vanilla frosted steeple that

stretches to the clouds.

We were directed into a packed-out

parking lot, shaken, and hugged.

We didn’t expect that.

Our “bulletin” was simply an outline

of the sermon titled,

“Climbing to get the right view”

and focused on the fifth beatitude.

“Blessed are the merciful,

for they shall receive mercy.”

The pastor reminded us of the

good Samaritan, the hated one,

the one who, moved by compassion,

extended second-mile mercy

to one lying robbed and injured

on his journey.

Nobody would have expected that.

We didn’t have a bulletin for this journey

Six months ago, we didn’t even know we’d be taking one.

There were no expectations.

We have no expectations.

What we need now is a higher view

and the right outline.