Isaiah Rising

8 year old Isaiah has arrived at his church with his mother Miriam and his father Jonah for Easter Sunday. Their church, The First Calvary is hosting an Easter egg hunter for children in the community. “So how many eggs are you gonna get at the hunt today Isaiah?” Miriam asked while stepping out of the passenger’s seat. “I’m gonna get em’ all” Isaiah said with excitement.

“Hey kiddo, I got an idea” Jonah started. “How bout this time you don’t almost break someone’s leg like you did during last year’s hunt?” Jonah joked. “Dad that wasn’t my fault. If he hadn’t tried to steal the last egg with the Reese’s cup in it his leg woulda been okay” Isaiah said sarcastically.

“Honey you got the deviled eggs for the after service lunch?” Miriam asked Jonah. “Yes, I promised you I wouldn’t forget these little disgusting things as long as you brought me orange soda to wash em’ down with” Jonah joked. “My deviled eggs are slammin’” Miriam replied. “Everyone else thinks my eggs are the bomb dot com.” “Well that’s because this is church and everyone here doesn’t have to live with you” Jonah joked as they all made their way inside the church

While walking in after his parents Isaiah looked at the park across the street from the church and noticed a little boy sitting on the swing by himself. He had never seen the boy before, but the child looked around his age and simply greeted him with a smile. Isaiah noticed that the young boy was by himself and briefly gave the young boy a wave and went inside as church service began.

12:00p.m. Church service has just let out and everyone is getting ready to have their Easter lunch in the fellowship hall building next to the church. Pastor Mark stops Isaiah on the way to the fellowship hall. “Isaiah can you go get the key to the fellowship hall off my table in my office?” The pastor asked politely. “Sure” Isaiah responds. Isaiah makes his way to the office and is startled by what he finds when he opens the door. He finds the little boy who he saw at the park earlier when church began going through the big bag of candy that pastor mark had next to his desk for the church’s Easter egg hunt later.

Just outside the church entrance pastor Mark was suddenly approached by an alarmed couple of a man and a woman. “Hey has anyone here seen our son?” The man asked. “He’s wearing a blue shirt and last place we saw him was at the playground across the street” the woman continued. “We can take a look inside if you’ll follow me” Mark began while leading the way.

“Hey, what are you doing?” Isaiah asked the little boy with the candy in his hand. “I…I was hungry and-”. Before the little boy could finish his mother Sarah, his father Aaron and pastor Mark all walked in behind Isaiah. “Oh thank God we found you” Sarah said with relief. “Peter you can’t run off like that” Aaron said with frustration. “We were scared to death.” “I’m sorry guys” Peter said innocently. “I was hungry and-” “Wait a minute” Mark interrupted. “I know who you are” he continued while eyeing the whole family. “My deaconess told me that she saw a family in the area who looked homeless like they were living out of their car. I take it that’s you all.”

“Yes” Aaron confessed reluctantly. “Sir, we’re sorry he snuck in here” Sarah began “but we’ve been homeless for a week and struggling to eat and-” “Say no more, child” Pastor Mark interrupted. “All three of you are gonna have lunch with us in the fellowship hall and then we’re get in touch with some friends of mine who will get you a place to stay and get you better employment.” “Pastor I don’t know how we could ever thank you” an elated Aaron exclaimed. As the adults walked ahead, Isaiah and Peter walked behind talking to each other.

“I’m Isaiah”. “Hi isaiah, I'm Peter.” Isaiah extended his hand and Peter gave it a shake. “So how old are you Peter?” Isaiah asked curiously. “I’m nine” Peter responded. “Wow you’re just a year older than me” Isaiah rebutted. “I noticed your marvel shirt” Peter exclaimed while observing Isaiah’s shirt. “Oh yeah” Isaiah started. “I love the Avengers”. “Seriously?” Peter asked excitedly. “I love the X-Men and the Avengers”. Isaiah smiles at his words. “Maybe we could hang out and watch them sometime or if you and your friends-” “Well-” Peter interrupted. “I don’t really have any friends.”

The two boys stopped in the hall as Isaiah gave Peter a look of empathy. “Well maybe we can be friends, if you want” Isaiah suggested. “Are you kidding?” Peter replied. “Of course I’d like to be friends with another marvel hero like myself. Isaiah held up his fist with a smile on his face and Peter gave him a bump with a smile of his own as the two boys joined the adults in the fellowship hall, overjoyed for their newfound friendship.

And a little child shall lead them - Isaiah 11:6.