"The reason mountain climbers are tied together is to keep the sane ones from going home."

This anonymous quote arrived this past week on a bookmark sent out by the Minnesota Council of Churches. I read it over several times discerning its meaning. I knew my heart was drawn to it but I needed my head to catch up. Since I cannot imagine myself ever mountain climbing, I needed to put it in a context I could understand. It did not take long. It is something I think each of us do most every day. We awaken with the sun and tie ourselves to one another and head out into the world. In our families….in our work….in our country…in the world. We tie ourselves together and pray that when we are frightened or frustrated, when we are weary or wise, when we are joyful and just, we can pull one another along.

Our oldest son who is in college has taken up rock climbing, which I realize is different from mountain climbing. As a parent who is far away from observing this new found physical challenge(not that I could watch), I do know that it involves harnesses and ropes….and climbing with other people. This child who was always at the top of every jungle gym, without a fear of falling, sometimes jumping to the horror of other adults around, has taken to putting his faith in the safety of ropes and friends to scale rock walls. May God continue to keep him sure of foot and balance.

And isn’t that our real prayer as we head out into the challenges of each day……that we are held by the invisible ropes of those around us, that we have the strength and courage to hold others, that nothing comes our way that can’t be solved collectively with the creativity, sweat, faith,imagination and commitment of our fellow ‘world travelers’? Isn’t it our deepest prayer that we need each other so much that we will find a way to solve our differences, share our wisdom,our resources and our hope? And through it all God will keep us sure of foot and balance?

There is so much that could and does divide us. But I continue to hold out hope that in the midst of all this, the Spirit will move through our conversations, our arguments, our rhetoric, our fears, and remind us that we are indeed tied together. And in that moment we will tug the rope and give the signal that says " let’s go….I’m holding you…let’s climb."

"Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common;…Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day God added to their number."  Acts 2:43-47

Have a wonderful weekend…………………….