Gregarious God

The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. John 10. 1 - 18

I have written in the margins for years in my old Daily Office books. And in response to today's gospel reading and this line in particular, I wrote, "God will talk to anyone who will listen!" A fun memory popped in my head this morning when I read this...Walking through the mall (in the olden days when people did that) pushing my oldest son in a stroller so he was about 18 months, and I realized he was talking to the mannequins! Waving and babbling to each one as we passed by. In the same was, my little Golden Retriever puppy "talks" to every human we see on our walk, fully expecting them to come and greet her.

Isn't it wonderful to think of God as one who reaches out to talk to and wave at anyone anywhere who is willing to listen? Keep an eye out for God today...you never know where he will be.

In this little church in the mountains of North Carolina, there is a picture on the wall of laughing Jesus. I can't find a copy of it right now, but I would love to take anyone who is interested on a field trip to see it and the extraordinary frescoes of Jesus' life that are on the walls! Close your eyes and imagine Jesus smiling, laughing and calling out to you.

St. Mary's Church of the frescoes, West Jefferson, NC