Had a close encounter with a skunk this past week. I was up for an early morning walk, out along the dirt paths that wind throughout all 288 acres. I noticed some of the weeds moving as if an animal was there in the corner of my eye, and stopped to see what it was. It was amazing to see. At first I thought I was seeing a weed move, or a burning bush moment was about to occur. It was as if a small ripple of wind was blowing the weeds, but only in one spot. As it got closer to the edge of the trail (and about 10 yards in front of me), I saw that it was a skunk, with its tail straight up in the air. The tail with its hair splayed out and weed-entangled looked just like a weed. I gave it the right of way and stood still until it had moved across the trail and far into the weeds on the other side.
I think that spying that critter was a bit like looking for whales off Maui. You can't really look too hard at one spot, hoping to see one, but if you just sort of let your eyes rest on the ocean, you may catch a movement, and thar she blows.
This week is focused on the resurrection, and seeing the skunk reminded me of the disciples catching sight of the risen Jesus. He was there all along, but you needed to be looking to see him. It is interesting that he shows up in locked rooms. I always thought that was because in his resurrected body he could go through walls. But I think it's much more profound than that. He appears - because he is already there (just like he said he would be!). And that means he is already here, and already wherever you or I are. In fact there is no escaping the risen Jesus. Nothing can separate us from him! And that makes all the difference.
Next Sunday I will be on the East Coast, reunited with Rod and basking in the presence of our family. That will be wonderful, noisy, hectic, busy life. And I think, if I just look around, without really trying too hard, Jesus will be there as well. And his presence carries the sweetest imaginable scent of love.
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