Wake

"You're leaving a wake, Zae." He smiles contemplatively.



"Hopefully a good one." It's my turn to smile.



A couple of months ago, this same boy came to me at bedtime, his eyes wet as he asked me, "Mom, do you think I lived today as though it were my last?"



This boy who we endearingly call Pastor Zae and Bear (in reference to Bear Grylls) because he's a mix of both passionately-wanting-to-know-Truth while embracing wildly dangerous adventures. His faith is reckless. He tells me he wants to be like King David, "A man after God's own heart." His gaze is long, sign that he's thinking out loud more than making casual conversation.

Today we finalize packing details as we prepare to visit our friends, the Stauffacher Family, in Malawi, Africa. Israel talks constantly about the children there. Subjects meander from adoption to "I'm going to build an orphanage," to playing with all her "new friends in the village." The enthusiasm in her wake is contagious.

We're praying that our hearts will be tender, open... ready to receive whatever God reveals to us along the journey. We're asking Him to increase our faith. That His Love -- that sacrificial Cross-Kind-of-Love... and Hope -- will be reflected in our wake. What fun that we begin this Africa Adventure on Easter Day!


I love the recklessness of faith. First you leap, and then you grow wings.

--William Sloane Coffin