Rising Star Adventures and Beyond

A Very Important Meeting

I looked at my watch. I had arrived at the park bench with fifteen minutes to spare. I had agreed to meet someone there. It was a nice crisp fall day. I was wearing my jogging suit because I had planned to go running after the meeting. I sat down on the bench to wait.

I looked around. The park was beautiful with all the leaves changing colors and falling from the trees. A squirrel scampered up a nearby tree. A pair of mourning doves picked at the leaves. A few wrens were also fussing about.

I think I see him coming now. I straightened out my jogging suit and determined within myself to breathe in the other direction. He walked towards me and said, “Hi!”

I stood up and reached out to shake his hand. He took my hand and pulled me close to him in a hug, and said, “I am so glad you agreed to meet with me here.”

I awkwardly hugged him back. “You are the person well-known and famous, why are you so happy to meet with me?”

He smiled and said, “Because I love you. See my hands? See my feet? See all of my scars? I got these all for you.”

I looked down at our feet at the sudden feelings of regret. I knew what he was talking about. I have read my Bible. I know it was because of my sin he has those marks in his body. I couldn't help but feel ashamed of myself. “Yeah, about those, I am so sorry.”

He put his hand on my upper arm and said, “I’m not. I would do it again for you in a heartbeat. Just remember how valuable you are to me. I have given my life to you. Live it wisely.”

I think I had a couple of tears come from my eyes, “But Jesus! Why? I don't deserve it. I don't even know why you bothered meeting me here today. I don't know how I can ever repay you.”

We sat back down on the bench together. He said, “I know. Just love others the way I have loved you. That is all I expect from you. Enjoy your relationship with my Father now that I have made amends for you. I hope to spend time with you every day if you will let me.”

I sat there stunned a moment. Not only had he wanted to meet me this one time, now this famous person, this perfect person, wanted to spend time with me every day. I found my voice, “Well, I guess we can plan to meet every day for about twenty minutes in the mornings. I will let you know when and where every evening before I go to bed. Does that sound good to you?”

He stood up to go. “Sounds great! I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow.”





Word Count 486