Day #2006

June 29, 2019

Grief. Shock. Sadness. Regret. What do you do when you are numb? 

You carry on. And you pray! As much as you can. And trust that when the words can’t come, the Holy Spirit intervenes.

Blessings.

Day #2005

June 28, 2019

This morning we received a text that meant the world had changed forever for many folks we love. My hubby’s cousin has died in a private airplane crash, along with a person in the home where, tragically, the plane hit. We don’t know lots of details, but what has happened is devastating! He leaves a wife, a daughter, a business, a brother, many cousins, and other family and friends. 

There are no words…at all! Only prayers for the Lord to have mercy. 

Blessings.

Day #2004

June 27, 2019 

A guest writer for Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation posits that God can not only be the interruptions that come in our lives, but also be in them. This idea struck me because I think we often believe we must have absolute quiet to effectively pray or have quality time with God. However, the messiness of our sometimes chaotic lives interrupts that time with other needs or events. But this writer’s idea is that God is actually in those moments, too, speaking to us and guiding us. That the interruption is actually God. 

Yes, I think that sometimes to hear God we do need some undisturbed time. But today I’m thinking about God speaking to us in the chaos. The times when the phone rings with an emergency need. Or someone comes by wanting to talk. Or when a loved one needs a hug or a listening ear. Maybe that’s actually when God speaks the loudest. And is a moment when we can learn something about ourselves, and God, that we would not have done so otherwise.

That helps as the day has been quite busy and chaotic and full of holy interruptions. 

But here’s something fun - a picture of that VBS I wrote about Monday. The kids have surely been having fun and learning. 

Blessings.

Day #2003

June 26, 2019 

The word for the day - thankful. For a visit from the congregation’s former Parish Administrator and her twin baby boys! They are all doing well and the boys are growing so quickly. It was great to meet the little sweethearts!

But there’s another word for the day - regret. I didn’t take a single picture! Rats!! I won’t make that mistake next time!

Blessings.

Day #2002

June 25, 2019 

Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture comes from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 9, verse 62: Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (NRSV)

Years ago, for some reason, I had the idea that riding my bicycle looking backward might be great fun. I went a short distance and did just fine, thinking that yes, it was as much fun as I thought it might be. Then the idea came, let me take this to the next level by closing my eyes. The thrill was even greater, right up to the moment when I hit the curb, flipped over the handlebars and busted my chin open. No longer did this seem like such a good idea and the scar remains today as a reminder of its folly.

I cannot imagine that Jesus was thinking about riding a bicycle when he said that looking backward was a bad idea. But I can understand his desire to warn folks about looking behind as they commit to moving forward, following Jesus. Looking backward can even limit our ability to move forward because it narrows the possibilities in our lives. No longer can we look to the future with hope if we are limited by focusing on the experiences of our past. What do we learn from them? Sometimes to be afraid to try again because things once turned out badly. 

For Jesus, looking back meant keeping a focus on our earthly life and what we try to accomplish on our own in it. Conversely, the Kingdom of God focuses on the present and looks with hope and trust to the future, leaving behind regrets of the past or wondering “what if.” The Kingdom of God focuses on Jesus and his call to commit our lives, and future, to trusting him. And that trust is not in vain.

Blessings.

Day #2001

June 24, 2019 

Some days are “normal,” with various activities and conversations. And they can be good days. 

Like today. It began with the opening of Vacation Bible School. We are blessed to join with another congregation in town, bringing some youth helpers, kids, and adults, to have this learning and fun time together. I give thanks for the opportunity and the cooperation.

Later, there was conversation with a colleague, and the offering of a heartfelt prayer of thanks for our serving in the same place. Yes, we are fortunate here to work together in many ways.

Then, there was a good ending to the day as I hosted the monthly Book Club at our home. We laughed and enjoyed one another's company as we discussed the latest book we have read. 

Yes, thankfully, “normal” days are good days. 

Blessings.

Day #2000

June 23, 2019 

As I planned for day #2,000 of blogging about intersections between God and daily life, I originally thought I would share some highlights of the first 1,999 writings. But as I looked back, I wondered how I could possibly pick “favorites.” After all, there are over 5 years of events, prayers, reflections, joys, sorrows, highs and lows to choose from. 

So I went back to Day #1, remembering as I began that I had two goals: 

“One is for our Godson, Simon, to have this as a way to get to know me and how I see life and faith intersecting, hopeful that one day it will somehow help him in his own walk with God. The second is to be a reminder to me, and anyone who happens to stop by, that God is ALWAYS blessing us (present), is ALWAYS loving us, is ALWAYS forgiving and giving to us. That God, simply, is grace.

I cannot say that I have faithfully achieved either of these. Simon is still young enough that I can’t imagine him reading this every day. And, quite honestly, some days it feels as if I just talk about what happened, almost like a diary. But hopefully there are more days that are truly about God’s intersection with life. I do believe this has taught me, if nothing else, that God IS present every day. And for that I am eternally grateful.

So, as day #2000 comes to a close and tomorrow will dawn as day #2001, who knows where we’ll go together in the next 1,000 or more entries. But thanks be to God, none of us will go alone!

Blessings.

Day #1999

June 22, 2019 

Remembering that mom died 12 years ago on this day, a “thinking of you” card from someone (thank you again) and this I snatched from FaceBook brought comfort:

Blessings.

Day #1998

June 21, 2019

Happy Summer! And the longest daylight day of the year!

But with a high temperature of 60?!?!

The calendar seems to know something Mother Nature doesn’t. Haha!

Blessings.

Day #1997

June 20, 2019

Today would have been my mom’s 90th birthday. Wow! Happy Birthday in heaven, mom. You taught me so much and I miss you everyday. Thankfully, our relationship bond hasn’t ended! I love you!

Blessings.

Day #1996

June 19, 2019 

The word for the day - thankful. That the hubby’s surgery went so well and that he is now in physical therapy, which also seems to be going well. I’m proud of him for doing what he should, and thankful for the gifts God has given others to help bring him to this point. Mostly, thank you God! 

Blessings.

Day #1995

June 18, 2019 

Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture comes from Galatians 3:26: for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. (NRSV)

For those who may not know, I am an only child. From the time I remember, I wanted an older brother and begged my mom for one, but she quickly explained that was not going to happen. I do remember times of being lonely, but mom was good at making certain I had opportunities to play with friends and join others in classes, etc. 

When I was baptized, and became active in a congregation, I was overwhelmed with learning that I suddenly had dozens of new brothers and sisters of all ages, other children of God, through faith. How amazing this was for me! And just like any family, there are good days and not so good days, but the family remains. The bond is unbroken. 

God knows, as the whole and Holy Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, how important relationship is. None of us are an island. And all of us are God’s children, cared for lovingly by our holy Father. 

Two tangible ways also reminded me today of the importance of the “family” connection. One was being honored to help a couple celebrate their own family with 25 years of marriage at a renewal of vows ceremony. Another was being reminded by a sister in the faith to listen to my spirit and body and provide proper care. Perhaps the prayer from the devotion d365 she shared with me would also be helpful for you (after all, sharing is what "family" does): 

Re-creating God, I don’t always listen when I’ve hit my limit. I sometimes push until I hear my spirit - and body - beginning to break. Give me the wisdom to notice when I need to hear your call to care for my body before I get too run-down. Amen.

Blessings.

Day #1994

June 17, 2019

A busy Sunday melted into a busy Monday of serving and listening and planning and meeting/spending time with folks. But mostly, being thankful for all the opportunities! Every single one!

Blessings.

Day #1993

June 16, 2019

A full, busy day! We celebrated Father’s Day, remembering and giving thanks for all the ways men mentor and care for others, whether they are fathers, brothers, sons, etc. Thank you, men of God!

Then, our soon-to-be-retired Bishop shared the message in worship. She talked about one aspect of mission for the synod, our companion synod. She shared ways of accompaniment, especially remembering the trip last fall to celebrate their 80th year. The information was heart-warming and the response to the invitation of ways we might be of help overwhelming. 

Then we had a surprise dinner with friends from out of town. Always a joy to be with them.

Lastly, the hubby and I stayed overnight at the congregation for our turn during our Family Promise host week. This is always an honor. 

What a blessed Sunday! 

Blessings.

Day #1992

June 15, 2019

There are many holy moments with what I do. I have been with folks in many ways and at many times, occasions that brought joy and those that brought sadness, and sometimes those are mingled together into one event. 

Today I was with a family at a graveside. The loved one had passed a while ago, but now the time had finally come to lay them to rest. I was honored to be asked to join them. Certainly there were tears and lumps in throats as they remembered the one now missing from the circle. But there was also laughter and joy as they were celebrated. Truthfully, the circle between then, now, and the future was, and remains, unbroken. 

Thank you, God, for the hope of the resurrection. And for the power of relationships that do not end, just change. And for all the moments in life. 

Blessings.