One recent morning I got up early and put on my suit and my clerical collar. Even though it was a hot and muggy day, I was dressed up to go out to our city's National Cemetery for a graveside service for one of our congregation's World War II veterans. A genuine war hero he was, as well as a beloved father, grandfather, and friend.

First I had stopped into the office to check in on our Senior Matins group, who were having coffee and fellowship. I also saw a number of the Vacation Bible School children arriving for a day of fun activities. I had time for a couple of brief thoughts about Sunday's sermon. "Discipleship," I wrote down on the cover of a manilla folder. Not much to go on, but better than nothing.

The day before I had spent part of the afternoon drawing eyes with the children. We were instructed each to take a small mirror provided for us, and to look carefully at one of our eyes. Then we drew large, dark outlines of our eyes on large pieces of paper. The inside of each eye would be a collage of colors we found in magazines. We were encouraged to see all the different colors inside our eyes. They aren't just "blue" or "green" or "brown" or even "hazel." Take a look, and you will see.