“Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.”  Psalm 71:3

“Jesus threw himself on the ground and prayed. ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me, yet not what I want but what you want.’”  Matthew 26:39

As a child attending parochial school, we sang many hymns about the “Rock of Ages” and read about building a house on rock rather than sinking sand.   As I look back though, as a child I thought of my safety, my rock, to be my parents and siblings.  God was out there somewhere, to sing and read about.  My family was right there just downstairs, down the hall, or in my room right beside me.  It didn’t occur to me that so was God.

As I got a bit older, I thought of myself as my own rock. I can take care of myself.  I’m smart; I can come up with answers.  It didn’t occur to me that God was there, taking care of me and helping me find answers, sending angels.

Now I am older still.  Parents and some of those siblings I trusted to keep me safe are no longer here to comfort me and take care of me.  We are at an age when we know we cannot protect each other from circumstances of aging and sickness, uncertainty and fear, loss and heartache.  Now it often occurs to me that God is nearby, always has been.  That early love and nurturing is indeed a layer of my mantle.  But the bedrock, the core, is nothing less than God who promises to be with us, and Jesus who redeemed us, giving us hope through our uncertainty, and peace.

God, thank you for the love and care of many teachers throughout all my years. “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”  (Psalm 25:5)

Amen

Verla Olson