Day #2325

May 13, 2020

So, I heard something on the news today - this has been the sixth snowiest season on record for our area. 101.1 inches have been recorded since September, 2019. 

There is just one word for that….WOW! And I certainly am glad summer is right around the corner!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2324

May 12, 2020 

Acts 17:22-28a: ²²Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, “Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. ²³For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. ²⁴The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, ²⁵nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. ²⁶From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, ²⁷so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from each one of us. ²⁸For ‘In him we live and move and have our being.’ (NRSV)

Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture comes from Heidi Hyland Man. She shared this reflection yesterday through the daily devotion God Pause and I don’t think there is anything to add to improve upon it, so I share it today:

I wonder what Paul would say in a similar speech to us: “Americans, I see how extremely religious you are in every way.” Then perhaps he would name how some of us are “religious” about exercise, or work, some about checking email, others about sports. We might “religiously” keep a clean house (though I’m afraid that’s not me!), follow a certain diet, limit our kids’ screen time, or—especially now—wash our hands. Then I imagine Paul reminding us: these things to which we devote (note the language of religion) so much time, energy, and even money are nothing compared to “the God who made the world and everything in it.” He would reassure us that God “gives . . . life and breath and all things,” including love, without our needing to earn it. That said, God longs to be in relationship with us, yearns for us to “search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from . . . us.” And in fact, when we reach out in our own craving to know the “Lord of heaven and earth,” we discover God right here, with us already.

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2323

May 11, 2020 

Here's a smile for the week....

Oh, definitely Marty - avoid 2020 :-)!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2322

May 10, 2020 

Happy Mother’s Day. Those beautiful, celebratory words for a new mom can, at the same time, be painful ones for someone struggling with infertility or grief at the recent (or long ago) death of their mother. As with most things in life, there are two sides to each sentiment. For me, I choose to think of today as Women’s Day, celebrating the mothering qualities/roles of all women - mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, aunts, nieces, cousins, friends, God-mothers, sisters, etc. So today I am thankful for the women in my life who fill those roles and for those for whom I fill those roles in theirs!

Also, we had a joy-filled moment today, even at its bittersweetness. Long-time, active members are moving (she has most recently filled the Visitation Minister position in the congregation) and the congregation participated in a surprise drive-by goodbye parade. It was wonderful to surprise the couple and as a bonus, we got to see one another - from a distance - in person. Thank you to all who were able to participate. What a gift! And we wish you well as you leave - Godspeed and blessings in your new home. 

Blessings. And prayers.

PS Here's a sample pic. :-)

Day #2321

May 9, 2020 

On the upside - today was an absolute lovely day in which I was able to get outside of town a little distance and admire how green things are getting. I do LOVE this time of year!

On the downside - today it took a LOT of time to upload the recording of the worship service for tomorrow. Who knew what I needed to do was turn off everything and turn it all back on, including the Wifi!?!? Ahh…technology, a blessing and a curse. But…we’re ready for tomorrow. Thanks be to God!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2320

May 8, 2020

I received these beautiful roses today as a gift from a family who wanted to say thank you for being like a “mother” to the entire congregation. I have often told folks that I have lots of children, of many ages, since I don’t have any of my own. How thoughtful of this family to acknowledge it. Thank you!

I’ll be thinking this weekend of all those women who are mothering to others. Yes, that includes mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers, but also sisters, friends, cousins, Godmothers, nieces, aunts, and many others. Thank you to all you mothering women! And prayers for all of you who desire to be mothers, or whose mothers are no longer on this earth. This can be a tough time. The Lord be with you!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2319

May 7, 2020 

I saw this on FaceBook and wanted to share it as a reminder of how much a simple hello can mean…

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2318

May 6, 2020

Today is National Nurse’s Day. Thank you to the nurses (active and retired) I know, and especially those I don’t, but have met through having my own procedures/medical needs and being with family and parishioners. I think ALL of you are amazing and I have witnessed you providing some fantastic care. I am grateful for ALL of you!!

As a thank you to nurses, the Air National Guard did a fly-over the hospital here and in several cities across the state (and the nation). It just so happened that I was at a stoplight by the hospital at the exact right time. I had forgotten about the fly-over, and wondered why so many folks were outside with cameras. Then I heard the planes, and they ended up flying directly over my car. Directly over it. It was so cool to be in the right place at the right time, even by accident. 

So thank you again to all the nurses, and to the Air National Guard for giving tribute. What a moment! I can only image how much it meant to the nurses. 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2317

May 5, 2020 

Today's Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture comes from 1 Peter 2:5: like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (NRSV)

When I was a young girl, I was somewhat obsessed with rocks. One year for Christmas I received a Rock Tumbler to smooth the stones I found and collected. I thought it was one of the best gifts ever. I had fun putting those rough rocks into the tumbler and following the directions so that they would eventually smooth into beautiful stones. It took time, proper materials, and patience. But the result, I thought, was amazing. I made jewelry, crafts, and more, and enjoyed it all.

I thought about those stones when I read the scripture above and wondered what “living stones” might look like. Rough edges being smoothed through time, proper materials, patience, and being turned into something amazing. But not just for me, or an individual stone, but for the Kingdom. Multiple stones (thousands from the past, present, and future) coming together, being fit together, in a joy-filled image. And one that I believe God can use in ways single stones cannot be, especially as God provides the time, materials and patience.  

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2316

May 4, 2020

Here is the smile for the week - what May the 4th has become. A tribute to Star Wars. :-)

And I smile at the "Lutheran" response (and also with you). Double :-)!!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2315

May 3, 2020 

I must say, I am really enjoying this new ability to video chat with you, Godson! What a grown up young man you are becoming. You make me proud - and you make me smile! Thank you! We love you!!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2314

May 2, 2020

Warning - a rant is ahead. 

The state has been invited to move into re-opening based on a Phase 1, slow and cautious, protocol. Think physical distancing - 6 feet between folks, wear a mask for the safety of others, only so many in a store/business at a time based on its size, stay home if you have symptoms. Much of what we have been doing in places like grocery stores and "essential" places, but now more things are opening. 

Now, here’s the rant part - people are acting as if there is absolutely nothing going on and we are back to normal - crisis over and averted. Folks were trying to get in my personal bubble space (which is rather small for me, but that is beside the point), never mind staying six feet away. Hubby and I were part of only a very few wearing masks. Number restrictions?! Really, there are?! So…either I will be sorry one day for being out and about, even with trying to remain cautious, or I will be found to have been overreacting all along. But here is the thing: it’s not for my safety that I try to follow protocol. It is for the other folks. So I wonder, when did we as a people become so self-centered?! Wait, duh, isn’t that the definition of SIN - it’s all about me?!?!

Rant over, with an apology for voicing my frustration. Now here is the upside - I was able to run into a couple folks at the grocery that I know and to say hi, from behind my mask, and see the smile in their eyes. Nice!! Really nice!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2313

May 1, 2020 

And after 6 1/2 years, the African Violet I received when I began serving here finally has a baby bloom on it. 

I believe this is most appropriate for May Day, don’t you!?

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2312

April 30, 2020 

In a conversation with someone today, we were lamenting how much has changed since the beginning of the year. The question was asked, if we had seen this coming, what would we have done differently? 

I’m not certain we would have known what to do differently. Bought more toilet paper earlier? Hugged our loved ones we haven’t been able to see in weeks just a little longer the last time we did? Worshipped more fervently and joyfully that last Sunday we were together? 

I am thinking this whole thing is a reminder that we are given what we need when we need it. Faith, patience, perseverance, all come in the amounts we need when we need them. We cannot prepare adequately for what we don't know is coming, yet we follow the one who knows the future and has prepared it for us. Thanks be to God! 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2311

April 29, 2020

For today I quote directly from an email I received: “This is one of those days that remind us why we put up with winter!” Yes - a beautiful spring day with sun and warmth does wonders for the soul!!

Blessings. And prayers.