First Sunday in Lent (3)
Katrina’s newest addition, Miss
Blakely Lois (sporting a St. Augustine’s Lenten Wristband)
There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God. John 3:1-3
“Hi. I’m
Katrina. I’m nine. How old are you?” asked the sweet little girl
with big brown eyes and easy smile. “Hi. I’m Wendy.
I’m 23,” I replied. She took my
hand and led me from the doorway into the living room. “Wow!
You are waaay younger than my Uncle Danny. Wanna sit by me for the movie?” Leave it to a child to speak the truth,
without judgement, and then just carry on.
I had been dating my boyfriend (who was 15 years my senior) for about 3
months when he sprung on me that we had been invited to watch a movie with his brother’s
family that evening. This new
relationship was starting to feel like it might be the real deal, so I felt
some pressure to make a good first impression with his family. Secretly, though, I worried about coming
across as an immature kid with this more mature crowd. But little Katrina had managed to put me at
ease within two minutes of arriving. She
just spoke the truth as she saw it and immediately made me feel welcome and
accepted. She wasn’t worried about my
and Danny’s age difference or society’s “norms.” Kids really are the best, aren’t they?
Working with the kids of St. Augustine’s is one of my
greatest joys. They just have a way of
getting right to the heart of the matter.
They are so vulnerable, yet they trust their needs will be met and delight
in the simple things. I admire how they don’t
worry about appearances, live honestly and with their hearts on their sleeves:
- Want to be with your dad? Hang onto his leg with a death grip, wailing “don’t leave me” when he attempts to drop you off in the nursery during Sunday service.
- Don’t like the raisins in your muffin? Spit them dramatically onto your napkin and wipe any remnants off your tongue by repeatedly raking it with your fingers.
- Miss seeing your best friend from Sunday school throughout the week? Greet her every Sunday morning with a theatrical embrace and a declaration that your heart bursts with happiness at the mere sight of her!
The open heartedness and transparency of children come to
mind as I read about the exchange between Jesus and Nicodemus. Nicodemus is a prominent Jewish leader and
comes to Jesus in the dark of night. He
doesn’t want it known that he is seeking counsel from this exceptional Jesus
who Nicodemus now knows is the Messiah.
This Jesus who challenges the status quo and is more concerned with the spirit
than appearances or societal norms. Jesus
explains that we must be reborn to experience the Kingdom of God. We must experience a transformation so
dramatic that it is as though we are once again babes starting fresh – a transformation
of spirit. I can’t help but think Jesus
means we need to allow the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts into something
that better resembles the trusting, welcoming heart of a child. Lent is the perfect time to open our hearts
to this, to strip our lives down – to delight in the simple things, to live
vulnerably, honestly and in the knowledge that we are loved and our needs will
be met.
I went on to marry that “older” boyfriend and we just
celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary. I have had the honour of watching little Katrina
grow up and become a kind woman of integrity and mom to three children of her
own. These days, what a blessing it is to pop by
her house and have her little daughter greet me at the doorway and lead me to
the living room for a visit – my heart bursts with happiness at the mere sight
of her!
- Wendy Doherty