What’s Your Story — Looking Up

FIRST: I’m celebrating today. What could possibly be the significance of October 15? Well, it’s 3 months until the digital release of PAINT CHIPS! Let’s celebrate with a give away! Each of the following actions will get  you extra points! Comment on this post and share a link to this post on your favorite social network (one point for each…and share a link to your post below and/or tag me). The winner of the drawing will win a “What’s Your Story” necklace! The winner of the random drawing will be announced here on Wednesday. (The winner will choose the color of beads in the “What’s Your Story” necklace)

I spent the last weekend at the Breathe Christian Writers Conference. I was honored to be on the committee this year, in charge of hospitality and food. The job stretched me and, quite honestly, I didn’t think I could be so organized. Not that I want to make a habit of it.

As a result of this weekend, my brain is more than a little tired. As well as my body. Coffee is part of hospitality. Let me tell you, I carried pots of it around all weekend.

I owe you a story. And a story I will give  you. Just don’t be disappointed that it’s not about the conference.

***

I taught Bible at an after school program for several years.

Kevin sat in my class every day. I just knew that the kid didn’t listen to a word I said. He wiggled and rolled and fidgeted through Bible class every day.

“Hey, Kevin,” I would say.

“Yeah?” He’d answer, not looking at me.

“Can you please sit still and pay attention?”

“Probably not.”

Well, at least the kid was honest.

One day, a week after Easter, I taught about Jesus going up into Heaven. About how He promised to send “The Comforter”. How He promised to prepare our forever home for when we arrive. That one day He would return from us, just the way He left.

And Kevin sat against the wall, messing with the Velcro on his shoes.

“Kevin, would you cut that out?” I asked.

“No thanks,” he answered.

Later that afternoon, we took the kids outside. Spring in Michigan is a glorious thing. Bright sun after months of gray winter. Birds singing. Flowers blooming into color. Michiganders spend as much time outside on days like that.

“Go play,” we told the kids.

Most of the children piled in the sandbox or climbed up the monkey bars.

Kevin stood in the middle of the playground. Looking up. Standing perfectly still.

“That’s a first,” I thought.

After a few minutes he moved to the far side of the yard. He did the same thing. He moved all over the place. Stood still. Looked up.

He made his way closer to me.

“Hey, buddy,” I said. “What are you doing?”

He shrugged his shoulders, still looking at the sky.

“Is there an airplane up there? Or a bird?”

He shook his head. “Nope,” he said.

“What do you think that cloud looks like?” I asked, pointing. “Does it look like a rabbit?”

“I want to see,” he said.

“What do you want to see?”

“I want to see Jesus come out of the sky.” He moved away from me, still looking up.