Listen to him...

Our small group today was not the most focused time. One family had something that delayed them so we started late. One of the kids upstairs was inconsolable so Mike and Kelly had to keep taking turns to go upstairs to try to be with him.  The movie showing upstairs for the rest of the kids was a little loud so I went up to ask Amy (the fabulous UW student who comes to help out with the 9 kids during our small group time) if we could shut the door. A few folks had to leave early. But the gospel reading was from Luke below and I think it was perfect for our little ragtag team today. 
We read through this passage several times using the process of Lectio Divina (listening for a word or phrase that speaks to us and taking time to look for the invitation that God might be giving us through this passage and then setting an intention for a response to this passage.) 

The Transfiguration / Luke 9:28-36 :  ²⁸ About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. ²⁹ As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. ³⁰ Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. ³¹ They spoke about his departure,^[a] which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. ³² Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.³³ As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.) ³⁴ While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.³⁵ A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” ³⁶ When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.

As we reflected, the words that stood out to me were "Listen to him".   It seems easy to listen to God when it is quiet and when the candles are lit and when the contemplative mood is just right. But, that is not what was in the mix today.  I was challenged to listen to Him when it seems too loud. Listen to Him when a child is inconsolable. Listen to Him when distractions abound. Cry out to Him for ears to hear when it seems impossible. For nothing is impossible with God... Giving thanks for these little moments of transfiguration that are possible even on days like these... 

(By the way, I found this link for the daily office to come to my inbox each day so I have no excuse now... 

http://www.bookofcommonprayer.net/daily_office_sub.php) 

What a great resource! 

counting gifts from today.... 

Isaac is FOUR! 

Happy Birthday to Isaac with a Sunday morning celebration... 

legos and friends... what more could you want on a birthday!? 

giant tower construction 

thumbs up to a great party 

Anna and Eva :) 

sweet reunion this afternoon 

Jill Chelimer and Dan Johnson (Jason and Jill were at Seattle University together years ago) 

Micah's baptism tonight at UPC 

Elizabeth saying this verse to Micah: 

"He has shown you, O man, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly^[a] with your God."

Micah 6:8 

I love the definition I learned as a child about sacraments: 

"an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace..." 

 snuggle puppy 

snuggle time at the end of the day