Mary Ann Levi
Our visit to Israel
Standing on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, enjoying the sense of having been where Jesus was to have cooked breakfast for His disciples after His resurrection - imagining His calling out to them, "Children!".
Imagining Peter's joyful cry, "It's the Lord!" and his enthusiasm as he dove into the water, not able to wait till the boat was rowed to shore, imagining the laughter and joy of the moment I looked around my surroundings and my eyes fell on an official sign reading: "NO laughing, NO picnicking, NO swimming" then I saw the sign on the door of the Chapel that had been built on the site, it read: "NO Praying in the Chapel".
I stood stunned, not quite understanding what it was I was reading, when the Holy Spirit nudged me and said, "If they had had their way, I couldn't have done what they're commemorating!" At which point I burst into laughter! How like us, to enjoy the gifts and joy and freedom of the Lord, until others begin enjoying it too, and next thing you know - "they" may laugh too loud - or long! So, we make a rule - until one rule after another we find we've ruled out the Holy Spirit we came to enjoy!
So let's laugh, swim in His deep waters and picnic with each other at the table He prepares for us, then draw aside to the Chapel of His quiet Presence and pray for one another - and most of all - enjoy each other and Him!
Mary Ann Levy
1/15/08
