It Started Out as a Walk

I had spent the latter part of the morning and the better part of the afternoon working on Sunday's message; I prepared what was a difficult statement to be shared before prayer that would bring encouragement and hope to my people. After lunch, I took on tomorrow's sermon for Stewardship Sunday. I still had the childrens sermon and confirmation materials for a special needs student to prepare. So to sweep the mush of my brain, I decided I'd go for a walk. Stepped out of the front door and saw the angel at our doorstep sporting a sparkling set of icicles on her wings. Interesting accessory. Went back in the house, messed with my cameras till I found one and batteries and SD card that would all work, and snapped the shot for posterity. (Not often you get an angel photo op.) First I thought, "How incongruous!" I was so accustomed to seeing this poly-resin Tuesday Morning clearance special serenely surrounded with green hostas gracing her feet. Last summer I decided that this coming spring I would plant a Madonna Lily beside her.
But I had never imagined icicles.
Then I remembered the Scripture, from Ephesians 6:13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil come,s you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm, then...Regardless of the season, this angel at more doorstep stands firm -even in the cold dark wintry blast when icicles cling from her wings. I had always thought that in ministry, a pastor should never let grass grow beneath her feet, but there comes a time for icicles on the wings of prayer. Contented by this unexpected lesson, I continued on my intended walk around the South of the house past the parked station wagon and big oak tree when I saw our flag wrapped and tangled up in itself on the pole. "I better fix that." The long narrow PVC pipe we keep under the deck for pond maintenance was too flexible to free the flag. The light weight easy-to-port step stool was too short. No, I had to drag the big heavy construction ladder clear out of the basement, around the cars, up the hill and out to the flag The first step I climbed with the prayer that it and I wouldn't topple over. Up three steps in the sharp west wind, my prayer became earnest. Tug here and a pull there freed the emblem of freedom, but the grommet was upside down in the latch. OK, now the gloves were off. Finally it was straighten out and the latch in place. One more struggle with the secret handshake to close up the ladder, and I hauled it back down the hill, around the cars, and back to its final resting place. This was more walk than I intended! Tomorrow morning my muscles will woefully remind me.
But I thought, this too was a parable. Our nation is all tangled up in itself. Oh that a ladder and a prayer might set it free again. Maybe it will -when icicles form on angels.