Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night.   (Psalm 1:1-2)

A few weeks ago I was presented with the opportunity to be the story teller for Vacation Bible School. It required me to read and meditate on several biblical stories from the Old and New Testament. In fact on His Word I did "meditate day and night." I wanted to get the stories just right. I wanted them to appeal to the various ages that would be visiting our story telling oasis. I wanted to give each of these children the happiness that I remembered from studying these stories when I was a youngster. In fact I still remember the song my Sunday School teacher taught us to sing right before she presented us with the story of the day.
 
  "Tell me the stories of Jesus I long to hear;
   things I would ask Him to tell me if He were here:
   tories of wayside, tales of the sea, stories of Jesus,
   tell them to me."
 
I strived to give each child who sat before me that lasting, longing for the Word, that God with the help of my Sunday School teacher instilled in me.
 
I have no way of knowing if any of the fifty or so children who scrambled through the meercat tunnel and sat in the shade of the taped together plastic and construction paper Baobab tree will still be excited about God's word fifty years from now. The only thing I do know is that studying God's Word with each of them brought joy and happiness to me, and a new excitement for the good news that God loves me and all his people.
 
I recently came across these words from Martin Luther. "The angels like nothing more than to watch us deal with the Word of God; with such people they enjoy dwelling." I believe there were joyful angels dwelling among our Baobab tree this year. Thanks be to God.

Heavenly father help us to make the time to read your word and meditate on it's message of Love. Amen.

Contributed by Debra
Sunday August 29, 2010
Liturgical Year C Week 40
Sunday Gospel reading:
Lectionary 22 (Proper 17)
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost