Blue Angels

When visiting my office you might notice an angel hanging above my desk. She is a product of my late wife’s wonderful artistic creativity. One of the features of this particular angel is that she is blue. A friend of ours once asked, “Why is she blue?” Veronica's immediate response was, “Because she wanted to be!” I love that. It offers a powerful image for what it means to be the Church. We are called to be a place where blue angels are not only welcomed but also encouraged to shine forth in all of their wonderful uniqueness. Our culture is filled to overflowing with assumptions, expectations and judgments concerning “acceptable” ways of looking and acting and being. And if the truth be told none of us fit perfectly or comfortably into that unrealistic and unhealthy mold. Which is why it is so vitally important for the Church to be a safe sanctuary where each unique child of God can be celebrated and affirmed. When that begins to happen then the world becomes a more vital and enriching place for all of us. In another burst of creativity Veronica wrote a poem about watching for unlikely angels -

~ Inconsequential Details ~

by Veronica Lassen ©2009

I keep saying: “I’ve never seen an angel.”

But I’m starting not to believe myself -

My life is full of angels.

They love me and help me,

Talk to me and challenge me,

Hold me,

And believe in

Me.

I just don’t see wings.

I’m going to try squinting,

And looking out the corner of my eyes,

Quickly.

If that doesn’t work,

I’ll give up on this idea of wings altogether.

Then I’ll see angels all the time.

May we learn to see angels all the time, in all of their multi-colored glory. And may we continue to become a church where such angels are welcomed, affirmed, celebrated and encouraged.

- Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)