"If I had to name my disability, I would call it an unwillingness to fall. On the one hand, this is perfectly normal. I do not know anyone who likes to fall. But, on the other hand, this reluctance signals mistrust of the central truth of the Christian gospel: life springs from death, not only at the last but also the many little deaths along the way. when everything you count on for protection has failed, the Divine Presence does not fail. The hands are still there - not promising to rescue, not promising to intervene - promising to hold you no matter how hard you fall."
- Barbara Brown Taylor, Leaving Church

When I read this passage from Barbara Brown Taylor's memoir, Leaving Church, I underlined it immediately! I could identify with so much of what she said. How many of us have been rendered useless because of our unwillingness to fall?

This takes its form in many different ways. Some of us miss out on incredible experiences because we are afraid we don't have what it takes to participate ~ we're afraid to fall. Some of us can't be honest with ourselves and others ~ we're afraid to fall. Some of us risk relationships and invest our time, energy and emotions into an experience to make sure that it's successful ~ we're afraid to fall.

Yet, even the most vigilant of us has fallen. It may have been only "little deaths along the way," but we've all felt the fall. Isn't it reassuring to know that God's Hands are there, promising to hold us no matter how far the fall? My weekly reminder of that comes on Sundays during the benediction when we are reminded that the living Christ goes with us, beside us, behind us, before us, above us and within us.

Gracious God, thank you for
Your presence beside us,
behind us and before us
every step of the way.
Amen.

- Kristin Eichenberger
Director of Children's Ministries