A colleague
of mine has a son-in-law who is hiking the Appalachian trail. He started a couple months ago and is making
his way to Pennsylvania as I write.
She's going to meet him at the Delaware Water Gap, take him for dinner,
and then send him back on his way north.
She asked if there was anything he needed or anything that he
particularly wanted. His response, "Bring Miracle Trail.”
What's "Miracle trail?”
People leave a cooler filled with
goodies along the trail and the hikers are free to enjoy them while taking a
break. The cooler is filled with nuts
and snacks, sometimes beer but the most desired gift of all is... fresh
fruit.
This is what her son-in-law wanted
them to bring "him.” He said, "Bring miracle trail for the other hikers to
enjoy while we go out to dinner. When
you bring me back, the cooler will be empty and you can take it home.”
What a great idea! And I might add... what a great use of the
word miracle too!
There have been many times in my
life where just at the right moment or right around the corner, I stumbled upon
Miracle Trail. A friend calls. A meeting goes the way I wanted. There was no homework. I didn't have to bring my computer home. Someone offers a suggestion that answers my
question. A meeting is canceled and
another fits into its place. We often
call providential events miracles.
Miracle Trail.
At the end of an entire year where
we have discussed "feeding all who hunger,”
what might miracle trail look like? What
kinds of "gifts” do we have to put into our "cooler” and leave by the "trails”
in our daily life? Is it kindness, joy,
or peace? Do we have a book someone
could use? Or can we take someone out to
lunch after church? Can we offer to
babysit? On a random Wednesday, could we
invite someone to a rather ordinary family dinner?
Often the summer months present us
with extra time and energy – might the Spirit prompt us to put together some
miracle trail and leave it for others to enjoy while taking a break
Peace,
Pastor Beth