Andrew was home for Thanksgiving yesterday. He was in Florida last year, traveling as part of the crew with a band. He’s been traveling with them for more than two years: gone, home, gone, home. Last Saturday was his last concert. He retired from the road. He decided that part of life was done.

A bunch of people said great things about him. Fans of the band were fans of the stage manager. Not because of his music – he plays the radio – but because of his very Andrewness.

When I said he is home, I didn’t that he was with Nancy and Hope and me. He’s with his wife Allie at their apartment in Chicago. He’s right where he belongs. But last weekend we got to see him briefly, to give him a hug. To let him know, once again, how proud of him I am.

What does this have to do with the creed?

When we recite “He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father,” I think it looks like Andrew stopping here on Monday morning, Andrew home today.

He finished his work, was proud of what he did. He did it well. He could take pride in finishing. And then he’s back to where he belongs, to the enduring relationships.

There is, between father and son, deep affection and pride. There is love. In the creed, for Father and Son, there is this same sense of affection, of completion. To say “God is love” is to see this relationship, this sitting side by side chatting, hugging, laughing, weeping.

With Andrew last week, with Hope home from college this week, I can’t stop looking at them.

What if that’s in the creed?

I wrote more about this image last year: Two chairs, leaning together.