There are some who might say that caring for a 17-month old is simply a physical demand-feeding, lifting, changing, walking, dancing.  Others would say it puts demands on the brain to make sure she receives the needed mental stimulation for her intellect to develop properly.  Certainly child care involves both physical and mental activity, but I have found that spending the day with my granddaughter is also an opportunity to learn theology.

            Taking care of Samantha means that some of my days are slower and conducted at a lower level.  When we go out into the yard, we may spend a long time at the birdbath, removing leaves, stirring up the water and examining whatever creatures may have made their way into that water.  We have studied tiny ants crawling on the rim and miniature larvae of some kind, wiggling their tails at breakneck speed through the water.  Recently, we stood there long enough to notice two fat worms stretched out on the soggy earth near the base of the birdbath.  Sammy gave out squeals of delight when I gently touched one and then the other and they squirmed under some leaves.

            Being with Samantha reminds me that the first part of doing theology, is pausing and noticing.  Like it may be for you, my life can be busy and demanding life.  My life can be too much filled with my agenda, my purposes, myself.  When I take time to quiet myself and to pause, I am better able to notice God's quiet and gracious ways.

            When I am on Samantha's schedule, I see things I never would otherwise see.  When I do, I am reminded of the creativity and thoughtfulness of God.  When Moses was tending sheep, a mostly boring job, I suspect, he noticed a burning bush and turned aside to really look at it and found God.  I have discovered that there are burning bushes everywhere, that the wonder of God is being revealed around every corner, and that slowing down to notice puts me in touch with God in new and deeper ways.

            The first Sunday of October is designated for the Peacemaking Offering.  Peace is more than the absence of war.  The Hebrew word for peace, shalom, stretches our understanding to include well-being, completeness, welfare of both individuals and the community.  That more sweeping understanding of peace also informs how we use the offering, so that this year, our congregation's share of the offering will be used in support of a ministry with immigrants who are in prison in Massachusetts.

            Now you may be wondering about the connection between the offering and my reflection on pausing to notice God at work.  Whatever we do to partner with God in working for shalom, whatever we do to live in creative and life-supporting ways for creation, are opportunities to witness the divine and witness to the divine. 

Take time to notice and to delight in God.

Mary