Everywhere and Here

Building One Another - Vol. 12, No. 3
Dear Friend, Years ago I heard a story, whose source I do not know, of a fellow who drove a school bus. He said, “When I stopped the bus to pick up a little boy for preschool, I noticed an older woman hugging him as he left the house. 'Is that your grandmother, Bill?'" I asked. "Yes," Bill said. "She's come to visit us for Christmas." "How nice," I said. "Where does she live?" "She lives at the airport," Chris replied. "Whenever we want her, we just go out there and get her!” I love that because that is how many of us have experienced our grandparents. At the same time, it amazes me how we tend to live as if the Lord who loves us “lives at the airport” – at the church – in our Bibles – and whenever we want him, we just go and get him. “Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.”  Psalm 139:7-8* The Lord who loves us is so near to us that we speak of Christ living in us. It’s hard to get closer than that! As you go about your day, know that while our Lord is “everywhere,” he is also “here,” right where you are and with you wherever you go. Christ be with me, Christ within me,         Christ behind me, Christ before me,                   Christ beside me, Christ to win me,                           Christ to comfort and restore me. Christ beneath me, Christ above me,           Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,                     Christ in hearts of all that love me,                             Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.                                                  St. Patrick's Breastplate
With joy- E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2013 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NRSV
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