When I get where I am going

He turned and faced Jerusalem.  That is what the writer of Luke's gospel tells us.  Jesus turned toward Jerusalem.  He knew where he was going.  Sometimes, I forget where I am going.  And that is what we read this evening in the little chapel at St. Timothy's at evening prayer.  We read that Jesus knew where he was going and he faced it.  And it made me think of how hard it can be to know where it is you are going and how to get there.  And you have to be brave.  Because going somewhere usually involves leaving and leaving can be a lot like dying.  And as I looked out the windows of the chapel, I saw how the maple trees were making dying look beautiful.  And I remembered that Jesus relinquished all his glory and stood bare on a cross to get where he was going.

And she was holding the big, black book in her frail hands and it was hard for me to understand.  But  between  the thees, the Verilys, the thous and it came to pass, I watched her live the truth in front of me.  And I stopped hard when I saw her on her knees asking Jesus to be the keeper of our lives.  And he has been true to his word.  Jesus has kept our life. 

And he was holding  the big, black, worn book in his big hands and I was amazed at the pages, how worn, how used, how tear stained.  And he told me how he is finding more and more truth in the words written in red.  And he raised his hands and he bowed his head and he gave thanks for it all. 


When I get where I am going, I am going to touch moon.  I am going to catch a raindrop.  I am going to walk with my grandmother and match her step for step and tell her how Jesus kept us all.  When I get where I am going, I am going to sit down with him and talk way into the morning.  When I get where I am going, I am going to ask Abraham how did he know about the ram?  When I get where I am going, I am going to ask Moses were those sandals really comfortable?   When I get where I am going I going to dance a little more. When I get where I am going I am going to laugh a little more.   When I get where I am going, there will only be happy tears.  I will shed all the sin and struggle that I have had down here.  But while I am here, I will love with my heart wide open and without fear till I get where I am going.

All is grace and counting joys

the leaves in their glorious fall color
the falling of the leaves like golden red rain
the cool night air with clear skies that show slivers of the moon
the orange pumpkins
warm apple pie fresh from the oven
grilled asparagus with goat cheese
chili
The Giants getting to Game 7
Reading the Daily Office at St. Timothys
8 strike outs in a game and 4 for 6 at the plate last game of the season
wool sweaters
hands that are worn with time and prayer
faces that show the grace of God









When I get where I am going, there will be only happy tears.  I will shed the sin and struggle that I have carried all these years.