Wednesday, December 22

“My soul magnifies the Lord,

And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

For he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.”

Luke 1:47-48

Over the summer, there was a small Vacation Bible School gathering, held outdoors on a hot and muggy evening. The children who gathered learned about baptism, made crafts and played water games as a way of learning and cooling off. Near the end of the evening after a few drops of rain, a full rainbow appeared to the delight of all.

As the closing worship time began, I gathered the children to sit on the grass under a tent to remind them of the story of Noah and his family, the story of God’s bow in the clouds given as a visible promise of life. Little did I know how that story would plant itself in the mind of a four year-old named Sophia who became my helper that evening at what she called, “circle time.”

Every Sunday since that evening, Sophia has worn rainbows to church: a rainbow facemask, rainbow tops, rainbow shorts. At every opportunity (especially during the Children’s Time in worship), Sophia reminds us about the rainbow at VBS. She reminds us all that she is the pastor’s helper in sharing about God’s promises.

Indeed, she is not the pastor’s helper but God’s own servant. A four year-old magnifier of God’s grace in the community. God placed this little “wise-one” who reflects the meaning of her name in the midst of our community to show us how to see and rejoice in God’s promises. Sophia reminds us that God works through all who point and rejoice at God’s presence in our lives.

God of hope, open our eyes and ears to listen to your unexpected servants. Help us to delight in your presence and rejoice in the ways you reveal yourself in our lives through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

 

The Reverend Dr. Jennifer L. Phelps is Pastor of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Perkasie.