Part 2: So I'm going to my high school reunion

I struggled over the decision to attend the reunion. After what had happened to me, I knew going would be difficult.

I prayed and asked God to direct me. I don’t often do so, but I also asked for a sign.

You could say that the following is mere coincidence. I can understand that interpretation. However, I view this through a different lens – of my faith.

I received a mailing about a continuing education event. It was to be held in three weeks at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma (PLU) which was very short notice. The subject matter captured my interest though, so I registered. I also saw this as an opportunity to visit my 96-year-old father in that part of the state. It was then that I remembered. The reunion would be held at the same time as that home town visit.

So I would be back when many of my high school classmates would be there. What if I bumped into any of them on the street? What would I tell them? It was then that I decided to go to my 40th reunion as difficult as that may be.

I had private conversations with a few of my classmates in advance. I told them my story. I thought it would be good for some to be aware. I’m glad that I did so.

While I was at PLU I attended morning services in their chapel. That first sermon hit me hard. It was delivered by Barbara Rossing, one of the event’s presenters, who is an author, and professor of New Testament at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.

Here are two stories that she used in that sermon: the first was about connections in the brain – synapses – that can be physically rewired through relearning.

The second was about author-artist Dan Erlander. He made a cartoon about the children of Israel. They are pictured seated at school classroom desks, but in the desert wilderness, for 40 years, learning from Moses, who was God’s spokesperson.

The caption to that cartoon was like this: “The people had left Egypt, but they needed to relearn in order for Egypt to leave them.”

I would need 40 years in a desert wilderness experience to relearn as well, to have that nightmare leave me, and now came the final exam.

Walter is pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church and has served as parish pastor for more than 25 years.