Returned this weekend to our old “home” – the Pocono Mountains. We spent our first years as a couple and family here – teaching at Pocono Mountain High School. It was the birthplace of friends and connections that last to this day.
We have so much impact on one another. At times the blessing of that simple fact almost overwhelms. This has been a week of it. The 9/11 service gave birth to over a 100 connections. And these connections - many are very real – including grateful thanks as well as requests for prayers and just simple reaching out. Paulette, for example, sent a beautiful prayer for peace for her parents, one that just sang in my heart this morning.
And then there are the old Pocono Mountain students and swimmers from days gone past. They are now often getting married (congratulations to Jenn and Pat who are getting married today!) or now have children of their own.
Spent time last night with a dear family. I used to teach Theresa – over 15 years ago. Her and her husband Neal are doing an incredible job raising a rather outgoing young son, Brayden, who is courageously moving forward through health challenges. As a fellow Star Wars fan, I can safely say, “The Force” and “The Phillies” are with this crew!
And all of this just brings me to my knees. Because the fact is, no matter how many times as a teacher or pastor I get thanked, I KNOW in an absolute way that I have received infinitely more than I ever gave. You can’t be around the Walsh’s of the world and not think “courage” and “grace.” You can’t be around Jenn and Pat and not think “joy.” You can’t read Paulette’s prayer and not think “peace.”
So what can you learn in 20 minutes? I sat by the lake for 20 minutes in simple prayer. Of course my brain skittered away from the task at hand – distracted by silly in-my-brain debates and construction noise – but there were a few moments of quiet clarity, times where the beauty and majesty of God’s handiwork in this world gently spoke to a world far deeper than words. It is a world that connects with Neal, Theresa, Brayden, Jenn, Pat and Paulette – with Life. It breaths into that place of depth – where “deep meets deep.” My normal hampster-wheel of ego driven noise is silent there. And what do we learn in place? Do you have 20 minutes?
