What a fabulous way to begin the month of April.Rejoice always,
again I say REJOICE !!
This first day, Resurrection Sunday, is a reality.
Only fools would reject this miracle.
April 1 CHRIST IS RISEN !
THE LORD IS RISEN INDEED !
ALLELUIA !!!
Today is a grand celebration of new life in Christ Jesus. Those are the words we say when we greet those leaving this worship service on Resurrection Sunday.
We can finally say ALLELUIA after we 'fasted' from saying it for over 40 days.
It's also April Fools day but only fools ignore this grandest celebration of the year. People say that "All Fools Day" is set aside for those who are foolish enough to not believe in the gift of God's only begotten Son.
In fact . . . without crucifixion there would have been no resurrection.
This is the day we celebrate Resurrected life . . . for those who have said 'yes' to God by accepting his only begotten son as Lord.
April 2 One is missing
Thousands of us around the country are reading Luke and the sequel, the book of Acts.
Our reading of Luke ended on the Vigil of Easter and we all began reading the Book of Acts on Resurrection Sunday.
Immediately, the disciples see the need to fill their ranks.
Judas, Iscariot, betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver as was prophesied. He then felt such remorse that he killed himself.
It's not like they had to look far.
Over seventy totally committed men had also been following Jesus and had been anointed by Him and sent out to lay hands on and heal others.
Most likely these men, along with just as many women, gathered with the eleven to reflect on the surprising death of Jesus.
They also drew lots and Matthias became the one who would round out the team of twelve.
Not much is written about Matthias but he was among those who were martyred for the sake of Jesus, the Christ.
April 3 Fullness of the Holy Spirit
Luke continues the story of resurrected life in Acts at a rapid pace.
One minute the disciples are grieving at the loss of Jesus and the next minute they are choosing another to round out the team of twelve.
One minute we are trying to grasp the ascension of Jesus and the next minute the Holy Spirit is coming down in his fullness upon all of the nearly three thousand who were milling around the Jerusalem temple as Peter spoke.
These people were from every nation and every language one could imagine.
They'd come to Jerusalem for the required passover and subsequent Pentecost sacrifices in the temple.
Here they experienced the incredible power of the Holy Spirit as the same message touched each in his own language.
These 'Gallalians', thought to be uneducated, spoke odd words as if they were speaking to each individual in their own language.
Pentecost . . . the feast of weeks . . . the first fruits . . . one of three required fast/feasts.
Pentecost, for centuries, was not only the celebration of the wheat harvest but was the celebration of the giving of the Law, Torah, which guided Jews for centuries and became the foundation of the old covenant.
Jesus' death and resurrection represents the new covenant but Pentecost 'sealed the deal' when the Holy Spirit came to all who were open to receiving the fact that Jesus is the Christ, the anointed one of God, the New Covenant, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the Savior of the world.
April 4 Conversation
It's amazing how many ways we can converse.
Text messages fly back and forth between my friends and myself.
Emails are constant reminders that we've connected with too many friends to count.
Telephone calls are less frequent because of texting and emails but I receive plenty of these each day.
Yet, the greatest and most constant conversation is between me and God.
When I awake in the middle of the night I know it is a great opportunity to chat with God for a few minutes before I fall back to sleep . . . unless I cannot sleep.
Then I continue chatting with God, hoping that I will get sleepy.
This particular night I guess God wanted me to spend a bit more time with him.
I felt like I was awake most of the night.
I prayed the long list my friend of forty years gave me.
She lives on the other coast but knows I will remain diligent in my communication with God as she and her friend travel to a retreat center and teach others about prayer.
What an honor!
I feel instantly connected to a dear soul I've not seen seen since our last visit to the West coast five years ago!
Then there are certain concerns for another friend I see twice weekly as she is slowly dying.
She is such a joy to be with and makes all who see her feel as if they are her best friend . . . all 400 of us.
Yet, she and her husband have led amazing lives filled with God's presence. Who wouldn't want to be with them?
I converse with the Lord regarding family members.
I don't really petition God but simply lift their names to Him with a simple request for the presence of the Lord draw them to him.
I ask for wisdom regarding ways I can love and encourage those I rarely see.
Conversation . . . it's all good.
But the BEST is with God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
April 5 Weekly Accountability
Each week we gather to hear each other's stories.
They are never the same.
We each swirl in different directions and are led to do different things or focus on different paths.
I'm fascinated by the love that binds us together as we are each so different from one another.
We simply 'check in' with each other and let one another know we are OK even if we've had a 'no good, very bad, terrible, horrible week."
Fortunately, last week we were all on the same page.
We all walked to the cross with Jesus . . . through Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil and Resurrection Sunday.
We all felt deep pain as we suffered with Jesus.
Yet we each felt incredible joy at Sunday's Resurrection service.
Amazingly, our little group represents four different churches in two separate denominations.
Amazing!
We worship so differently but we worship the same God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We have different backgrounds, live according to different God-given purposes and move in different friendship circles.
Yet, we've been meeting weekly, off and on, for almost twenty years.
Accountability to and with those who are loved by One who will never leave us or forsake us is comforting.
We've learned from each other the importance of 'checking in' of making sure we affirm another as the other affirms us.
As we each swirl through our weekly commitments, we look forward to stopping for a couple hours each week to make sure we make time simply to 'be.'
How are we each 'being' . . . instead of "doing?"
How are we maintaining continuous connection with the Lord through Word and sacrament each week?
What was our closest moment with God?
How can me 'sisters in Christ' help me through the coming week if I am struggling?
We are open.
We are checking in.
We are accountable to one another in the same way we are accountable to our Lord.
Nice.
April 6 Chipping Away
I laid out neatly stacked piles of books and articles and whatever else has accumulated on my desk over the past several weeks.
Each day sped by without touching one of these items.
I promised myself, "After Easter."
I now have no excuse.
Does umpteen loads of laundry count?
What about all the cookies I baked for our church bake sale on Sunday?
I actually began reading and trying to absorb some more family history . . . which I love.
It's nice to linger awhile as I digest wonder-filled information.
I'm also nearing the end of work on my icon.
The final touches will be completed in a couple weeks when the instructor returns from vacation.
I need her help placing the gold leaf on the halos.
(The current red halos are meant as an underlining which will enhance any cracks in the gold leaf.)
Whether digesting information from my piles of paper or completing the writing of this icon, I feel a great sense of accomplishment.
"Chipping away."
It gives me a sense of accomplishment.
April 7 The Find!
I'd been wanting a change.
I'd look for new chairs for our indoor lanai for a couple of years and nothing seemed right.
So, I decided to think about replacing our living room chairs.
How expensive could a couple of chairs be?
I recall my last chair purchase . . . thirty years ago!
I began with new chairs in real furniture stores.
I needed to see what the trends might be . . . see if there is anything distinguished, unusual.
Four hours later and most likely eight furniture stores later (there are scads of them where we live and I did not even go into all of them) I was exhausted.
Conclusion: boring, bland, beige
Even the most expensive "occasional" chairs were boxy and all seemed to have the same fabric . . . nothing unique.
Is that how the most wealthy homes are furnished?
I did find ONE chair which delighted me.
It was blue metal with cushions on it and cost three times what I would ever pay for it . . . but I liked it. It would certainly be a focal point but I don't think I could feel cozy in it.
So, I decided to go to my favorite consignment shop where dozens of sellers stake out their tiny territory and fill their spaces with everything one could imagine.
Voila!
My heart skipped a beat with delight.
I was sure it would be too much to pay even at this shop but what a surprise when I saw it was 50% off!
I took a picture for hubby to look at and he thought it was nice . . . for wicker.
My heart had been set on wicker all along even if it is old and people are discarding it for heavier looking furniture.
Here it is in the store . . . with a ribbon on it so no one will sit on it.
Here it is on our little indoor lanai . . . so totally perfect.
And, of course, I could not resist the super buy on another wicker set that was 25% off of a very low price.
Hubby and I have been enjoying it for a couple days.
It gives the space a whole now look.
Love it.
April 8 Perseverance
The readings from Easter to Pentecost embrace the book of Acts, the 'actions' of the Apostles after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.
By this time, those who were followers of Jesus before he died were visited by him after his resurrection.
Jesus assured all who had believed that he is the son of God were reassured that, indeed, Jesus, the anointed one, the Christ, is truly alive and his kingdom will have no end.
From the beginning of the book of Acts, Peter and the disciples are seen with a holy boldness that only the Holy Spirit could bring forth.
Three thousand believed on the day of Pentecost and were baptized.
Just a few days later, after Peter and others had been jailed for their unabashed sharing of Jesus as son of God and Lord of all, 5,000 more came to believe in the Christ.
The disciples were being threatened for speaking of the Gospel of Jesus Christ but they persevered . . . and were jailed again and again.
Only now the jailers and their families were coming accepting Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives.
Not only the disciples but any and all who believe, are baptized, and choose to have the Holy Spirit (planted in them at baptism) reside over their lives, have the holy boldness to persevere in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ when those around us are trying to stop them from doing so.
It's the belief in our belief that compels us to keep sharing His story as we share our own story of changed life and perseverance through challenging times as we give glory to God through his son.
Perseverance is one thing but persevering with JOY is a sure sign that we are being guided by God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
April 9 A Friend Perseveres
I have many friends with whom I do various things.
Yet, this friend has been diligent to set aside time as often as possible so that we can enjoy a meal together.
With her travel and my volunteer schedule we have had to be very creative.
For several weeks the only way we could enjoy time together is to help hubby as volunteers.
We packed boxes of treats and fun things for the troops overseas each Monday for a month.
She and hubby and I have always enjoyed each other so we all enjoyed the time together.
We would bring our lunches and eat a quickly before we packed . . . and chatted . . . for a few hours.
My schedule for the past couple of weeks has been so full that, wisely, she scheduled today's lunch two weeks ago.
Because she planned ahead, persevered in reminding me of 'lunch time' and because we remained steadfast in our commitment, we have enjoyed delight-filled lunches over the last five months.
I'll soon be heading north but we can feel the satisfaction that we made time for each other in spite of crazy schedules.
Perseverance in maintaining our friendship has paid off.
Very satisfying.
April 10 The "End Date"
Dad died last year, May 1, after living 102 years.
Amazing!
Well before he died he did not tell us siblings that he purchased a bench with plaque that was placed in the park across the street.
One thing dad could not do is place an end-date on the plaque.
So, we decided to have the plaque removed and replace it with the additional end-date.
No one in the park may know him but people do wander from one bench to another, from one picnic table to another, reading all the memorial plaques.
What a surprise they'll have when they read the end-date.
I like that word . . . "end-date."
It means that dad had a beginning and an end on this earth.
And what a story in between.
Dad's soul will live for all eternity but so will the stories on each plaque.
This is the plaque before the addition of dad's end-date.
The words tell us a good story.
Dad put much thought into each word, I'm sure.
That's what is so fascinating about all these memorial plaques.
Each has a story.
Dad's 'end date' is a story in itself.
April 11 Sharing the Dance
It's a star-lit night and we're dancing!
Hubby decided early this year that we should take dance lessons.
So, we resumed with another lesson.
Decades ago we use to dance when we were 'courting.'
Where we lived we found a German restaurant with a Polka band.
Yes, accordions were the major instrument.
Yes, we did the Polka and the Shaddish.
We also expanded into the 'Cha Cha' and the Lindy.
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| We did not dress up like this but felt like we were dancing like those at Downton Abby-so romantic! |
Currently, we don't even hear of these dances.
It's now the "Swing" . . . Western style or Eastern style.
And they are very different!
Samba, Rumba and Tango are the rage.
The old Fox Trott is now expanded with the "Twinkle."
We are trying to re-learn old dances as we expand our skills.
We also find dancing to be a new form of communication.
It's not that we've stopped talking; we seem to find plenty to chat about daily.
It's about communicating without all the chatter we seem to share at any given moment.
Dancing is a wonderful bonding time for us where hubby leads me with the soft strength of his hand.
Simple pressure moves me back and forth or sends me into a twirl or side to side movement as we glide around the ball room.
Our time together reminds me of my time with the Lord.
I am gently nudged by the spirit as I pray or read scripture.
I can always opt to ignore those nudges just as I can ignore hubby's nudges.
I can decide to take the lead on my own.
But, I find that the 'dance' of life is much like my dancing with hubby.
There is something that delights my soul when my hubby is taking the lead as we share our dance.
In the same way I take delight that many of my work decisions can be shared with God as I pray through my day.
I know I am never dancing alone.
The Lord is leading me.
Being with hubby as we swing to the beat helps me remember how nice it is to share the dance.
April 12 Listening
I meant to finish up my icon today but the materials I needed were not available.
Yet, the Lord knew I was suppose to be there.
We were in an open space that invited anyone passing through to come over to our table to see what we are doing.
This woman did not even notice what we were doing but needed a listening ear.
I listened, intently.
I asked questions to help me understand her many digressions.
I listened some more.
I continued to listen for more than an hour.
And then she was done.
I'm not a listener by temperament.
Yet, over the years, I've learned to listen for longer and longer periods of time.
Sometimes I sense that the conversation should stop far sooner than the other wishes but this time was just right.
I thought I was done for the afternoon.
Yet, there was another family that stopped by and wanted to chat.
I had not seen them for months and they wanted to tell me all about what they'd been doing.
I'm glad I did not need more time for painting.
What could have been frustration at not completing my task, became contentment.
I felt I was to be in that space at that time to serve the Lord by simply listening.
April 13 Words
I take time to read today.
I love the quiet moments given to me to simply reflect.
The book of Acts, the actions of the Apostles . . . especially the actions of Paul, are riveting.
It's the best story I could ever read.
How could God turn someone like Saul, killer of Christians, into Paul, lover of Christ?
The incredible power of people's prayer for Paul turned him around in such a spectacular way, that his story makes my heart spin.
God's powerful revelation to Saul takes moments.
Paul's understanding and ability to articulate his new story takes years.
In fact, Saul took several years to embrace his new life and become Paul.
God wrapped His presence around Paul with such power that Paul became a little whirlwind of a gospel presenter wherever he went.
Paul had the strength and determination of a bull but a heart that was open to every jew and gentile who would listen.
Prayer, the power of the Holy Spirit opening hearts of all involved and the full embrace of Jesus, the Christ as Lord of our lives can make any of us as 'bullish' on the gospel as Paul.
Taking time reading and digesting God's Word is only the beginning.
April 14 Discipleship
I was only going to spend an hour listening to her.
She was so eager to find time with me but I knew nothing about her.
I will always make time in my schedule for anyone eager to grow in Christ.
One hour turned into three.
The conversation was two sided.
She wanted to hear by story.
I wanted to hear hers.
The story of God's presence in each of our lives wove through our conversation.
I learned much.
I taught much.
We both listened.
We both left our meeting place energized.
Prayerfully she will choose to dive more deeply into her quest to know more about God's story that embraces her.
I will pray intently that she find just the right balance in her busy life.
Discipleship.
Teaching another to seek God's purpose right where we are.
She is learning to go slow, seek deep, embrace fully, be filled and simply BE the person God wants her to be.
She is eager, ready, half-way there, on a roll, full of energy, open-hearted.
She is definitely a disciple of Christ Jesus.
Nice.
April 15 Rejoice and be GLAD!
What a celebration we had today with three re-affirming their faith in Christ as they entered into the communion of the church.
They'd been baptized as infants.
God and those godly souls around them, who grew them in Christ Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit, rejoice in hearing their verbal acclamation that Jesus is Lord of their lives.
Music, vibrant words and receiving the presence of our Lord through Holy Communion confirms their acclamation.
We then share a meal together . . . the entire church body . . . together . . . celebrating . . . affirming to each candidate that we are there for them.
The Lord, our God, will never leave them nor forsake them if we, in our humanness, are not there for them.
With JOY I make a visit to my dear friend of nearly twenty years.
We rejoiced together a few days ago.
She got her hair done that day.
Her joy-filled spirit masked the pain in her chest, the difficulty breathing, the energy that consumed her when she moved from chair to bed.
We all know she is dying but we assume that will be months away.
That night she slipped into a deep sleep, as was expected in the near future but now?
Those near and dear to her keep vigil.
Her breathing is labored but she is strong.
She begins her separation from this realm as her soul prepares to be with God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The family and I share prayers and I anoint her with holy oil, as I had been doing every week for the last month.
Our hearts are heavy but we know her heart is lighter.
Jesus is calling her.
We await her final "yes."
April 16 Vigil
Life keeps happening.
Laundry, house cleaning, daily business.A friend calls to ask if she can visit our dearest who is slipping away.
"That would be lovely," I say.
People have been coming and going.
Our friend slips more deeply into a space we cannot go right now.
She seems agitated.
They give her more of what calms her.
She is at peace.
We wait silently as she lingers between two worlds.
April 17 ". . . to die is gain."
There is a quote from the Apostle Paul in Galatians.
He says, "To live is Christ, to die is gain."
My sweet friend 'gained' a new life last night . . . eternal life with our Lord.
She is most likely sitting at the feet of Jesus telling him all the news from 'below' . . . as if he didn't know.I call her 'bling girl' because of her glittering heart.
So, 'bling girl' is gathering her friends . . . most likely anyone around her . . . and carrying on where she left off.
She has been my friend for a couple of decades and has lived a very good, very filled-up, very in-love-with-the-Lord life.
She was happy with life and I know she is happy with her changed life.
What a blessing that she and her hubby had already appropriated a little remembrance for hubby and me.
It now sits over our couch in the living room.
The long explanation of the print . . . and Japanese artist . . . is on the back of this large picture so I took a picture of it to enjoy on-line.
I'll re-write it and make copies for friends who might want to know about the artist.
My dear, diminutive, friend was bigger than life and so is this beautiful work of art called "The Ten Virgins."
It depicts the parable of five virgins who were prepared and five who were not prepared for the 'groom' (Jesus) and the banquet in his presence.
My friend entered into the banquet with the Lord daily and will continue to do so for eternity.
Life on this earth will continue without her but with far less bling, in my opinion.
What a gift of remembrance we can enjoy.
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| The story of Sadao Watanabe and his art work. |
April 18 Again?
The minute we begin grieving for my friend, another enters the hospital with signs that this is the end of his life with us.
He is a co-worker, two decades my senior.
He only retired completely a couple years ago when his legs gave out on him one too many times.
He is as social as 'bling girl' who just died.
He can sit in his chair and his 'audience' seems to surround him.
What stories he tells . . . still.
I never cease to learn from him.
He has a wry smile and a sweet chuckle but is so deaf that one has to look him straight in the face when chatting.
He has given himself away to scores of people as he would faithfully visit the home-bound or those in hospital.
His Danish wife is a story in herself . . . always joy-filled . . . always gathering people together so no one is alone.
I thought this was the end for him.
After all, he is turning 91 in just a few weeks.
Listless, unable to stand on his legs, the ambulance nestles him into the carrier and whisks him to the hospital.
Pneumonia? Just a little bit.
No infections.
The next day he is holding court as people stream in to see him.
He sparkles.
My friend is back to his old self but will need a bit of PT with his legs.
And life goes on . . . again. I smile.
April 19 Theotokos
Mary, Regina . . . Mary the Queen
Mary, Theotokos . . . Mary, Mother of God . . . used in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
The icon I wrote is taken from the Eastern Orthodox tradition.
The colors tell me the story.
Eastern Orthodox traditional dress for Theotokos is RED.
Western Christian traditional dress for Mary, Regina is BLUE.
I've chosen the Eastern Orthodox tradition because most icons were 'written' by those of the Eastern tradition.
In fact, traditions says that Peter, the Rock, as Jesus called him, 'wrote' the very first icon that now resides in St. Mary's church in Rome. It's very small and would be missed if the world did not know about it.
So, my version, copied from an ancient icon of Theotokos, is finished.
In fact, the top coat of varnish is still drying as we speak.
Perfect timing.
Most of my classmates leave for northern environs this coming week.
Only a couple of 'year-rounders' will remain but they are almost finished.
I love the tranquility when I set aside six hours a week to meditate with a piece of art as I work ever-so-slowly in a medium with which I am only now becoming comfortable.
I'm not an artist in any way.
But, I can trace and follow directions and 'copy' what has been copied for centuries.
It's much like copying a page of scripture but, with the icon, if I skip a stroke I will still be able to tell the story.
I breathe contentment.
I breathe in the story of Theotokos holding the Son of God.
April 21 Pearls with Blue
We have not heard much from Barbara Bush the past few years.
Few know she was suffering from lung disease and other maladies.
She and George H.W. are now separated after 72 years of marriage.
The only solace George has is that she is chatting with Jesus at this moment.
A sweet cartoon was shown to me today.
Barbara, 1925-2018 and bigger than life, has entered the gates of heaven and joyously opens her arms as she calls out to Robin, her daughter.
This tiny angel says in tiny words "mama" as she holds out her arms to greet her mother.
Barbara finally gets to embrace Robin who died at age 3 from a very aggressive form of Leukemia.
Barbara is still wearing her pearls.
Some things never change.
What JOY she has while her family, especially her husband, feel an empty space in their lives.
So many stories are being told . . . all good.
Literacy gained notoriety, and 10 million dollars in donations, due to Barbara.
The children, grand children and great grandchildren have been trained well and know to think of others first in all things because of Barbara.
Her favorite color, blue, can be seen in almost every outfit she has ever worn . . . even if it might be simple trim.
Pearls of every size and length are her trademark.
Jeb, in his eulogy to her, sort of gave away a secret . . . some pearls were plastic.
I bet she wore the plastic ones when she did the gardening but real ones when she dressed up. Just my opinion.
Barbara was raised in a era where words were used for encouragement, enlightenment, exhortation and instruction.
Her objective always was to teach with love and kindness but also with firm intention.
It was an era of good manners, thinking of others, doing their best and becoming an example for others to follow.
She is gone and so is that era.
Perhaps her spirit will swirl among us and remind us of those precious gifts from God.
She will be missed.
April 22 Hear the Shepherd's Voice
If we say we follow Jesus, we are called to listen and respond to Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
We see pictures with Jesus either holding a lamb or with a lamb sweetly wrapped around his neck.
It's all so quaint.
Yet, caring for sheep is no easy business.
Think about it.
They are smelly, they cannot see and they are not all that smart.
They wander off from the herd frequently and get caught in hedges.
Is it better to protect the ninety-nine sheep or run after the stray sheep?
It all depends.
Is the herd safely inside the gated area with the entrance blocked so that none can stray?
Or are they safely tucked away with the option to wander out?
Is that one sheep that is missing just as important to the shepherd as the others?
The one sheep. . . ME, YOU . . . is just as important to God as the others.
We are disobedient, wander where we choose without regard for the Lord's shepherding and may get caught up in some pretty 'hedgy' challenges.
Yet, our Good Shepherd promised to look after us when we, by faith, said YES to following Him.
I may be myopic and wander where I should not but at least I have learned whose voice to follow.
I have learned the difference between the wrong voice and that of the Good Shepherd.
It takes a life time. It's daily. It's part of the discipline I choose.
Follow the voice of the Good Shepherd and HE will make thy path.
April 23 Arbor Day
The first Arbor Day was in 1854.
That's a little before my time so I was blessed with many opportunities, on Arbor Day, to plant trees when I was a Girl Scout.
Each year we would be led to field that was prepared and ready for these tiny seedlings we planted.
We had buckets full.
I felt sad when the leader said it would take at least 10-20 years for this little seedling to become a grown tree.
It seemed like a lifetime then.Yet, when I became an adult and planted a very small pine tree in the front yard of my first house I could not believe how it grew to be the most beautiful Balsam.
Years later, when we nestled into a community of new homes, my first thought was to grow all native plants around our yard.
Bushes and flowers and greens and our TREE fill the large expanse that we 'terraced' from front to back and filled to overflowing.
The Tree stands tall and majestic on a corner totally dedicated for the grand space it needs.Our growing-huge Leland Cypress now seems majestic.
The little bench under it has been moved several times to accommodate the tree's growth.
Natural trees and plants that are allowed space to grow as they should provide housing for our resident wild rabbit and even the occasional skunk and ducks and mice and birds and lots of bugs . . .
If this is what Arbor Day is all about, I am totally for it.
April 24 Worship
The day began with a blessed celebration of our Lord when we came together to worship at the Care Center.
Twice monthly I share words of encouragement and affirmation that the Lord is with us forever to those who believe in God:Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
That's what Holy Eucharist is all about. Thanksgiving for the moments we have in the presence of the Lord.
This is the last time I would see my dear friends until late Fall.
Many will not last that long but each moment I am with them is a JOY.
They can no longer drive and many cannot leave the grounds due to their physical challenges.
So these times of celebration are precious.
Today I dedicated our worship to my dear friend who died last week.
Her husband and daughter were present, their faces smiling in assurance that 'mom' is now gathering old friends around her as they now give praise to the Lord eternally.I share the story of Mark, the evangelist even though his special day is tomorrow.
We feel the joy as we worship together.
We smile as the presence of the Lord wraps around us.
We give praise to the Lord for each day of life on earth.
We are affirmed that the Lord is with us eternally as long as we choose to remain connected to Him.
What a blessing for me to be there, leading the affirmations.
I'll miss them.
April 25 Mark, Evangelist
Our church tradition is to celebrate those who gave their lives to the work of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ . . . the Good News . . . that Jesus died for us as the sacrificial lamb.
Mark was not only a faithful disciple but was like a son to Peter, the Apostle, who was the first leader of the Christian community.
Mark absorbed every word spoken by Peter and Jesus and wrote it in the "Gospel of Mark."
Mark died a martyr as he stood by the Gospel message.
This story and stories I read daily help us to better understand the lives of those who were martyred for the sake of the Gospel . . . for the sake of sharing the good news that we all can live resurrected life if only we believe that Jesus, the Messiah, is God.
"I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord. Whoever has faith in me shall have life even though he dies."
April 26 The Tea
Of course I did not take pictures.
I arrived wearing a lovely, newly purchased, floral frock.
It's rare that I am able to wear boldly flowered dresses but here was my opportunity.
Of course, I had a full schedule for the day and had to change at church after a myriad of other activities that began at 8:30 am.
But, slipping into this lovely home at the very last minute, I entered a wondrous world.
I was greeted by women with a variety of Fascinaters and wide brimmed hats of every color and style.
The hostess, my dear friend, looked Gatsbyesque in her long gown and pearls.
We roamed the vast expanses of this home with 14 foot ceilings until it was time to sit "wherever you wish" and enjoy tea poured into a variety of delicate cups.
No-crust sandwiches, delicate pastries, yummy scones and so much more were presented on a variety of tiered plates in the dining room.
Since it was a bit warm by mid-afternoon, we all chose to remain inside.
One-by-one others joined me as I learned much from those I met for the first time.
Then it was time to refill my cup.
This cup, pictured, looks like the fabric of the dress I wore.
Of course I mingled with the other groups for a few moments each, just to greet each and affirm to myself that I conversed with all present.
Twenty minutes later I returned to the original group of women who had done the same thing.
"A wonderful time was had by all" . . . as they wrote in the 1800s after a particular soiree.
"Let's do this again!" was said by all.
"Perhaps we'll do this with the whole church as a fundraiser," said the one who is a master at creating fabulous fetes.
The main reason for the tea was to say goodbye to one of our clergy wives. They're moving and both will be sorely missed.
She always smiles and makes others feel at ease.
We wish them well.
Perhaps she will be greeted in their new church by "Tea in a home with 14 foot ceilings and women wearing Fascinaters and wide brimmed hats of every kind."
FUN!
April 27 Words from the heart.
We all gathered in the ballroom of the Senior housing facility.
It was too difficult for most of the residents to attend a "celebration of life" service at church.
The facility, as a whole, is beyond beautiful and is especially inviting for those considering a change of lifestyle.
Some might call it "Step-Living."
My friend and her husband lived there for well over a decade and enjoyed friends as at various levels of care as they moved from independent living right into skilled nursing.
My friend slipped away into the hands of the Lord, as we all knew would happen sooner than later.
But it's always a jolt to the soul to lose a good friend.Children (now in their later years) and grand children (now young adults) shared eloquent words.
Crisp delivery, filled with joy, honesty and humor, was well received by the very full room of friends and family.
And it was a huge room!
I shared words from my twenty-plus years of meeting weekly with her in our church growth group.
I finished sharing accolades about her life and about her loving marriage with her husband and then I ended with a thought.
"What do we do with our grief after today's celebration of life?"
We all are grieving for her in different ways.
Instead of moving forward with life and stuffing our grief into the back of our soul, we need to carry our grief in the most precious vessel we can create in our mind.
Swirl that grief around in the vessel as we add wonder-filled memories of our life with that person.
Eventually, we will be able to look at that vessel filled with the mixture of grief and fond memories and the pain will subside in due time.
Each of us is different so some will take longer than others.
That's fine.
But, don't forget to look at that swirl of grief and memories and see the new patterns they make as they co-mingle.
God is showing us, through these new patterns, His grace and mercy.
The Lord is showing us that He is with us and holds us tight in our grief.
God will not let go of us.
That's a good feeling.
I'm beginning to see the swirl in the vessel being swirled by God's touch.
Comforting.
April 28 The End
Today we continued the process of saying goodbye to my friend.
She was cremated so the ashes were buried in the church garden.
But it was in the church they attended a couple decades ago.
It was good that they planned ahead.
Husband and wife will eventually be together in tiny plots in the most beautiful little garden right in the church courtyard.
A large bronze angel stands high over the brick and green expanse.
Lovely dwarf palms enhance the little brick wall that sets it apart from the busy walkways between church buildings.
It's a quiet place with a bench for those who choose to come, sit awhile.
Husband and adult children were informally dressed, knowing full well the departing words would be short.
After thought-filled words and prayers were said, they were gone.
We were done with the ceremonies that might bring closure to each of us who knew her.
"Enough," was the mutual thought of the family members.
They'd been grieving for months as our friend's illness took its toll.
It's now time to celebrate the few moments that family would be together in one place.
It will take time to realize that her name will be erased from our personal phone directories.
Letters will no longer have "Mr. and Mrs." on the address.
Living quarters will change as husband 'down sizes' further and moves into assisted living.
His world has just shrunk by half and he will no longer enjoy the daily stream of visitors that came to see her.
My friend will be deleted from our church lists and other lists too numerous to count.
We will no longer see her in our weekly encouragement group.
I've lost another dear friend.
The End . . . sigh . . .
April 29 Last Sunday
It's been a long week.
As I say goodbye to my friend I watch the swarm of those who loved her come together and then, almost immediately, dissipate.
Her full-to-capacity life is gone.
This human who I hugged and touched and laughed with is not here for my last Sunday at church . . . for this season.
In fact, I see so many whom I may never see again.
That's how fragile life is for many right now.
I'm in the midst of gray-heads who have become fragile.
Yet, I see vitality in their lives.
Last Sunday . . . sounds so final.
I'll only be gone for six months.
But, six months or six weeks or six days may be a lifetime.
I feel blessed that I know so many who have shared their wisdom and daily joys with me.
I feel blessed that I can be a strength to others at this time in my life.
I feel a new JOY filling the empty space in my heart.
Last Sunday.
That's OK
I look forward to dozens of Sundays where hubby and I will be worshipping together as we head to our other place.
God is good.
Life is good.
We are good.
April 30 Time for a Change
Of course I said, "yes."
As if my life were not already booked to capacity, how much work could being on this Board possibly take?
I'll simply "be" and the others can swirl around all the paperwork or people's questions or worries.
I'm a good listener.
I can sit in my favorite chair on the the community lanai and just listen.
We, the three new members of the board, are discovering how much has not been updated in decades.
Even putting 'copied' documents into digital format has taken it's toll on many of us.
And then we are called to interview new owners and renters.
That's not easy.
We have to know the Rules and the ByLaws.
What is the history of this place?
How are the pipes?
What are the limitations regarding communal living?
This new, pro-active, Board swirls with activity to "read, mark, learn and inwardly digest" as much material as we can so that we are ready for our next assignment.I'm ready to move into the next month where, hopefully, hubby and I transition to a simpler life for a few months.
I'm dizzy from all the care and attentiveness I've given to so many in two very different environments.
Time for a change.
