There is a celebration at my church today.There will be a lamb included, whose presence will remind us what innocence looks like.  I agreed to help with costumes, and scanned the cast list. The task felt fuzzy, and I was more than a bit uncertain. Then I was able to see a video of last year's production and I let out a sigh of relief. So that is what it is meant to be. I can do that. 

 

The bible is a handbook for how to live. There are hundreds of characters, guidelines, prayers, and lineages. Yet I find the most comfort in the stories. 

 

The Good Samaritan. The Prodigal Son. The woman who washed the Lord's feet with her hair. Mary's willingness to obey the angel. 

 

This is how it appears to embody the scriptures. Kindness is ethereal in theory. But when I watch it in the actions of another person it is as real as it gets. Compassion is a vague concept, until I read about a father who welcomed his son home with a celebration. Forgiveness sounds nice, but is hard to put into practice with the cantankerous people in my circumstances. Then I read about how Jesus withheld judgment and my own path becomes clearer. Following God's requests, even if they seem impossible, is suddenly simpler. Innocence means not hurting anyone, and Mary shows me how that shows up in flesh and blood.