A Story
Amy read a story for her time with the children.
Yes you hear me take a deep breath before starting. It was at that point that I realized that I never made a final decision about about how to start the sermon. So, a deep breath was calming.
So I started with a quick review of the scripture lesson. Which is from Mark 9:33-40.
The story of Esther is a cool story. there were a few things I forgot to mention just because there was so much to mention. And I feared this would be really long and rushed. So I really tried to move and forgot stuff. Esther makes little pretense of being a history. It is a story with great literary devices that are well used. There are foreshadows, reversals, parallels. There is a building of suspense, and set backs all along.
I do remember to mention that story of Esther does not ever mention God, the Commandments, the law, the prophets or anything that is religious or faithful. What I forgot was that at some point people noticed there was no mention of God and other religious stuff. So a BUNCH of verses were added that talked about God and prayer and Esther sounds like a right proper religious heroine and morally pure person. You can read these in the Roman Catholic bible or our apocrypha. Eastern Star loves these verses and there mythos rests on this story (with the added verses).
er oops – yes I swap Mordecai name for Haman’s name. Sorry! Hope is not too confusing.
I point at the piano when I say, “the Evil Haman!” It was not planned to make a joke about the piano. I actually was thinking that I had been pointing in that direction when ever I was talking about Mordecai at the gate. And the haman organ joke just sort of came out. I was even surprised people laughed because it was a piano and not an organ.
GOSH! In listening to this again I wonder what I was thinking when I talked about Kings who are afraid to change their mind and about people who have a “defensive war” that is still a slaughter. It sounds almost current… and that would be bad…
Here is where to go for the sermon sermon podcast: A Story
Maybe I over identify with Esther, a leader who knows she only has a few skills and not always the ones needed for a situation. And yet we both find ourselves in such times that we have to lead using what ever we have to do well and be good. And this may be true for all people, especially parents, who find that they are in a position were they feel powerless and yet have to do something. I guess trusting God, whether named or not, is the only thing that has helped Esther and me. May it help you on you journey.
