30 September, 2008

Never Understimate The Power...

...of Calvin and Hobbes.

I attended the Ordination service on Sunday of a former intern from our church, a sister in Christ, a friend. It was a emotionally moving service for me; from her presentation for Ordination followed by the hymn "Here I Am, Lord", to the laying on of hands by eight assembled Pastor sponsors and the Bishop of our Synod. I will long remember the joy and the majesty of the service, but it's the words of our Bishop, spoken to her in his sermon, that have given me great comfort in these last few days. He spoke of his own sermon preparation rituals and how he would sequester himself away with a pile of books in a small room as he prayed and wrote his message for the coming week. He explained that his pile of books always saw the Bible at the bottom of the stack, that his sermon would likewise be grounded in The Word, the foundation for what was to come. Then, on up the stack were books on Lutheran doctrine and various devotional guides. He explained that the top book was always a comic book, reminding him not to take himself too seriously. That's where I found my comfort! Whose day, regardless of the importance of the tasks at hand and even the most grave of circumstances, can't be lightened with a measure of levity? I'm happy to understand that the Bishop recognizes that, and that he deems it important enough to pass along to Pastors, to all of us. Long live the little boy and his tiger!
Life is Good!

16 comments:

Nane said...

Amen

Cheryl said...

Great post :-)!!

quiltkeemosabe said...

Yes, I miss the little boy and his tiger terribly. Maybe it's time to dig out the Calvin and Hobbes treasuries that I know I've been given,put them beside my chair or on my bedside table and read some everyday! It's got to help something/everything!!!!

Quiltdivajulie said...

Our pastors love to quote Peanuts and Charles Schultz but Calvin and Hobbes has always been my favorite ~ I miss them in our daily paper! Perhaps my all time favorite involves the line "but I'm not done complaining yet" ~ the Complete Calvin & Hobbes remains on my wish list...

Marvelous post!

Baby Steps said...

It's a good thing that Mason can't read the comic! :)

Libby said...

What a great message *s*

StitchinByTheLake said...

What a great post for this day when I needed a laugh. blessings, marlene

*karendianne. said...

Wow. This is a great post, a keeper. As a person, a woman, a student of the spiritual, I stack my devotionals before writing. Now I do believe I'll engage in the process with much, much more awareness.

Again, I must say this simple word: Wow.

Thank you SO MUCH for sharing this.

Moved by Love, *karendianne.

Mama Spark said...

I love Calvin and Hobbs!

quiltmom anna said...

Hi Mrs.Goodneedle,
Calvin and Hobbes are the best - they always crack me up- Bill Waterston understood how little boys think- it is too bad he is still not writing but his books are great..
Thanks for the laugh..
Regards,
Anna

Pam said...

Ah yes - we should never take things too seriously. I sure do enjoy Calvin and Hobbes - a good chuckle is always important. Thanks for the post.

Tanya said...

I too am guilty of taking myself too seriously. A wonderful reminder. I'm a big fan of the Peanuts gang and Charlie Brown's wisdom!

leigh anna said...

here i am lord is one of my favorites!
and laughing is too!
:)

Todd, Kari, Anna and Gracie said...

Ohh how true!!! ((SMILE)) GREAT post!!

Nan said...

What a wonderful post!! I agree, long live Calvin and Hobbes!

Rhonda said...

Love this post!