Day #1595

May 14, 2018 

With Mother’s Day still on my mind, a prayer for women:

Mothering God, thank you for those in this world who nurture others. Those in professions of care such as nurses and teachers. Those who have children and grandchildren they love and cherish. Those who struggle to care for their loved ones. With your love and grace, surround them with peace, endurance, tolerance, and the support they need. Also, we pray for you to be with those who experience the pain of hurtful nurturers, those who are sitting with nurturers as they near the end of life, those who are unable to nurture due to illness, etc. You are our strength and our loving example. We are grateful! Amen.

Blessings.

Day #1594

May 13, 2018 

Mother’s Day. A day set aside to celebrate all those who nurture, care, and share of themselves for the sake of others. Mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, aunts, cousins, friends, sisters, daughters, nieces, etc. While there are many who celebrate joyfully, this can also be a day that carries pain for some who have not experienced that nurturing as a mother, daughter, etc. 

Yet, while I am one with no close female relatives that are "blood," I am grateful for the women who are in my life. You are as important to me as anyone could be. Thank you for loving me, nurturing me, caring about me. I hope I do the same for you!!! 

Blessings.

PS A very special thank you to the woman who made me a godmother to the one this blog is dedicated to - I am grateful for you, love you and am proud of you!! Happy Mother's Day!

Day #1593

May 12, 2018

We saw something today we had never seen before - a huge shipment of beehives! 

As we pulled up to a stoplight, I said “BEES!” Hubby is used to the tone I use for bees - I am allergic. Where?, he asked, looking all around the car. There!! I pointed to the back of the 18-wheeler in front of us. Bees!!

More than once he (former trucker extraordinaire) has reminded me that most everything we touch, eat, wear, etc., has been transported by tractor trailer at some point in its production. But I had never thought beehives might be included. 

All I could think was, I would NOT want to be the person who pulls off that screen when they are delivered. Yikes!!!

I will also add, I am thankful for those beehives. Where would we be without them?!

Blessings.

Day #1592

May 11, 2018

What a surprise I received when we picked up Boomer after some time at “doggy daycare!” "He" had made his “momma” a Mother’s Day card. 

Isn’t that just the cutest thing!? What good care they take of him - another reason to be thankful.

Blessings.

Day #1591

May 10, 2018 

Time for the monthly Ladies: Let’s Do Lunch! And as usual, there was much laughter and conversation to go with good food. I am so thankful for these good-hearted folks who laugh with themselves! They are a joy to spend time with! 

Actually, the day was filled with holy conversation, good-hearted, caring folks and laughter. Much to be thankful for!!

Blessings.

Day #1590

May 9, 2018

It’s almost impossible to believe that the confirmation class year has nearly come to a close. Wednesday evenings will be much longer - and less fun - after Sunday the 20th, when five of our youth plan to Affirm their Faith in worship. They will make for themselves promises that were made for them at their baptisms.

Tonight, however, we gathered to have a celebration dinner and to hear/see the projects each student put together. The task: make a creative expression of what the past year (or two years) of confirmation has meant. And the youth responded well! There was a poem, an interview, a video, a lego creation, a couple of picture posters and a computer generated picture. All creative ways these young folks chose to convey what faith and learning has meant.

As these young folks take this next step of faith, I pray for them and ask that you do, as well. God, be with them and keep them - they are claimed and marked with your seal. Forever!!

Blessings.

Day #1589

May 8, 2018 

It’s your baptism birthday, Simon. Seven today - how time flies! What a treat to FaceTime with you, hear your voice, see your face, and remember that day not so long ago when the Water of Eternal Life was poured over your head and you were welcomed into the family of God. Your mom said it best:

Simon Hunter, child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever. Happy Baptismal Day! You are beloved. #celebratedwithcake #andtalkingtogodmommaanna #sevenyears

But what’s a birthday without a picture and cake!!!!!

Always remember, God loves you and we love you!!! Happy Birthday!!

Blessings.

Day #1588

May 7, 2018

A prayer this week for relationships:

Almighty God, you are the God of perfect relationship as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, entwined in and with one another. You know, however, the challenges of human relationships - that often we are not one, not abiding in love. When relationships fracture and shatter, hold the broken pieces close to you. Give us strength to trust you to carry us and guide us. Protect those, especially the young and innocent, who are in the midst of these situations, and give us all the grace we need from you. Amen. 

Blessings.

Day #1587

May 6, 2018

On the first Sunday of each month, we generally celebrate Holy Communion using “real” bread. Small, flat loaves of home-baked wheat/honey bread. 

As I gave each person their bit of this bread, the body of Christ, given for you, it occurred to me how much more meaningful this is to “see” the bread/body broken for each person. Crumbs scattered on the plate, pieces broken too big or too small (often just right), extra time needed at each break - these are all reminders to slow down and really think about what we share in this meal. The love, forgiveness, and grace of Christ, in and through this bread and wine, body and blood.

Wow!!! Thanks be to God!!

Blessings.

Day #1586

May 5, 2018

There is a rather popular theory/thought that there is no such thing as a coincidence - that God is in the midst of those random things that happen at just the right moment and just the right time. I believe that thought - in fact, I base this blog mostly on that theory. Sometimes the things are so small that we don’t even notice them - other times, it’s like a bonk on the noggin saying “hey, pay attention! I care about you and your life!” 

The bonk today happened as I was preparing the sermon for Sunday - go and love as I have loved you (a quick summary of John 15:9-17). The hubby began playing a video that was shared on FaceBook of a story by Steve Hartman about the newest superhero - “President Austin” of Birmingham, AL. Here you can watch him at work and see why I think he's living Jesus' command - this even made it into the sermon: Don't forget to show love

I pray we don't forget to show love, show mercy, show justice, show tolerance, show patience, show forgiveness, show God’s light. The world needs more Austins! The world needs US!

Blessings.

Day #1585

May 4, 2018 

I find it very humorous that this has become a day to “commemorate” the Star Wars’ greeting: May the force be with you. It’s rather taken over the day and, of course, Lutherans fit right in with the Liturgical response: And also with you. It all makes me smile.

But today I am also thinking about something way more important - gratitude. I’m grateful, simply grateful, today. For so many reminders of God’s love; so many important and talented people in my life; good health, weather and one of my favorite seasons of the year. And so much more! 

And also with you!!

Blessings.

Day #1584

May 3, 2018 

Today is the National Day of Prayer. This explanation from the nationaldayofprayer.org helped me understand its origins:

The National Day of Prayer was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. In 1988, the law was unanimously amended by both the House and the Senate and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on Thursday, May 5, 1988, designating the first Thursday of May as a day of national prayer. Every president since 1952 has signed a National Day of Prayer proclamation.

While this is a good thing, a day set aside to pray for our nation, its leaders, peace, mercy, etc., I’m thinking everyday would be better to include those things in our prayers. So I invite you to join with me in praying: 

Lord have mercy on our nation, our leaders, our people. Guide our leaders, and all of us, to make good and just decisions. Show us how to live not only for ourselves, but for others - our neighbors around the world. Amen. 

Blessings.

Day #1583

May 2, 2018 

A prayer for the final Confirmation Class:

God of love and relationship, thank you for calling us together. Thank you for bringing these young people to class to learn, to grow, and to build relationships. Thank you for their families who faithfully bring them, encourage them, and trust us with them. Thank you for the time we have had to pray, to laugh, to read, to discuss, to listen, to talk, and even to be frustrated. We want so much for these youth - a life of living and learning and growing with you. Keep them close to you. Protect them. Continue to fill them with your Holy Spirit. Strengthen relationships with them and between them. And give them courage through you to meet everything that happens in life with faith and hope. Amen.

Blessings.

Day #1582

May 1, 2018 

It’s my Faceversary. Which means it is my 10 year anniversary of being on FaceBook. Who knew?! I certainly didn’t remember until FaceBook conveniently reminded me with a cute little video. Special!

What it did, however, was cause me to think about where I was 10 years ago today. I was finishing my final year of seminary, getting ready to graduate and move along to the next thing, packing boxes, making plans for a long vacation headed west, and trying not to think about how much I would miss the place and folks who had become such an important part of my world. 

Simon, your mother started me on this FaceBook adventure as a way to stay connected, share events of my life, and "be current" (and cool). So while I had my doubts about getting “involved,” I jumped in. It’s true I don’t spend much time posting (never really have), or even reading FaceBook posts, but I have enjoyed connecting with folks from various stages of my past and seeing pictures and adventures others have. 

Things have progressed on FaceBook from how it was when I started. Who would have thought FaceBook could now be used to help raise money for good causes in celebration of someone’s birthday!? In ten years, there have been many advantages and good parts to this form of media, but also some tragedies created through it. I suppose, however, that is like most things in this life - the good and the bad mingle together. 

Many have decided FaceBook is not worth the effort or the risk of a possible breach of security. That is certainly a possibility and something to consider. For now I continue, hesitant to break all the ties I have with folks in this way. So, to all my FaceBook “friends,” Happy Faceversary. Look forward to continue seeing you online!

Blessings.

Day #1581

April 30, 2018 

With Jesus’ illustration of vine and branches on my mind (see John 15:1-8), the prayer for this week: 

Loving God, you remind us that a branch cut off from the vine will wither and die. Keep us ever close to you, abiding in you, trusting your promise to abide in us. Help us grow in faith, strength, courage and love, nourished by, and connected to you, as the vine. Then send us out as branches to mingle and grow with others, bearing fruit for you along the way. Thank you for your love. Amen. 

Blessings.