Gathered for a solemn meeting
Matters of import to be treating
Opinions and causes a spectrum wide
A course of action to decide
Some from the heart let emotions flair
And others move with caution and deliberate care
And while at times heated whether left or right
In the end – democratic – they will unite
Padre
A household of faith – standing side by side
For each other’s needs prepared to provide
Bound as a family – steeped in love
Like that shown to us from Him above
While we were yet sinners, we still had His affection
And He placed us on a path to develop perfection
While we may not have managed to attain it
We begin with things like the kindness we transmit
For each of our brethren have their needs
And we can easily provide for them – when we give up our greed
We are a household, one built on belief
And together we can change the world – giving to others relief
Padre
Thank you again Brother Vince for a powerful message
Being transformed and established
Now leave your mark
With whatever tool you are blessed with
Be it David’s sling or Noah’s ark
You have been prepared to do great things
In the power and name of the Lord
Let us His praises sing
It matters not if your gifts are not like another’s
That is why we have so many sisters and brothers
Padre
A neighbourhood like many others
Dwellings, streets, and things
Each resident their own lives live
Behind curtains and window screens
Dramas unfold every day
Issues both great and small
Hidden from prying eyes
By the freshly painted walls
A neighbourhood like many others
But like every community unique
Just getting on with each day
Is all that the inhabitants seek
Padre
Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay
When in the sunshine we emerge
From our pandemic slumber
To once again shoulder to shoulder
Each other’s burdens un-encumber
When socially we shall once again
Hug, Greet, Embrace
Such joy we will then have
With sunshine on our face
Padre
Pixabay
I have followed the blog of an amazing young woman named Caralyn ever since I began blogging myself. In her latest post she asked a simple but important question – “What has this quarantine taught you?”
I have learned that in the end it is tolerance and compassion that makes us the true survivors. We are touched by people who we haven’t heard from in years who send messages to just check that we are okay. It is the 99 year old veteran that walks around his garden to raise money for the doctors and nurses. It is the pastors who delivers groceries or prescriptions to the weakest of their flocks. It is our own ability to love and understand our friends and colleagues when they try to make a health issue a political one (on either side). It is when we stay in to protect the vulnerable, and yet will pray for those who flout restrictions, or hoard supplies, or even deny there is an issue at all. It is about “loving our neighbours.”
Padre
Image by Cheryl Holt from Pixabay
There was an air of excitement as the convoy of eleven cars and SUVs arrived in the parking lot. Many had been looking forward to this event since last year. There would be singing, games, and of course – food.
Angel’s mom had made mac and cheese; the really yummy type with ham in it and the cheese all thick and gooey. It was Angel’s favourite. Tonya’s mom had made brownies, that were soft and chewy. There were no nuts in them though – Tonya hated nuts. This was also really good because James was allergic to them.
As the families began to unload coolers, and folding chairs from the vehicles, Charles started to sing Jesus Loves Me with a lisp, he having lost not one, but two front teeth the night before. Several of the children giggled at this, only to be shushed by Sister Taylor.
“He’s doin’ a lovely job,” the Church Mother said, “You go ahead a sing, Sweetie, it’s lovely.
“Everybody ready?” Tonya’s mom asked the gathered families.
“Looks like it,” Someone responded.
With that, Angel and Tonya, the Pastor’s grand-daughters, ran across the little bridge. They knew just the perfect spot for the annual Sunday School picnic.
Padre
Daily Writing Prompt #27: Realistic Fiction
I am blessed. That is merely a statement of fact.
Brother James brought a timely message today which clearly came from the heart. Without going into a full recap, he made a powerful statement about our relationship with miracles. Drawing on the I Kings 18, he noted that there are those moments in between the miracles when we can lose sight of the power of God.
I loved the point he made in reminding us to look between the gaps. I have been doing that a lot lately, thus my opening paragraph. I am blessed. The big “miracles” may not be ever present, but God’s blessings and mercies are ever present.
God blessed me with a wife, who was not only my soul mate, but my best friend. God has taken her home, but that too is a blessing in that I know she will no longer feel the pain and fatigue of her long term illness. Yes, I have suffered a bereavement, but God and His people in my life (my family eternal). They have put me into a position of blessing even the more. I am sad (that’s natural with grief) – but I am not depressed. I am often lonely – but I am not alone. I am encouraged in my faith. I am encouraged by that faith. I have wonderful friends who check in on me, and comfort me, and pray for me. I have a church family who prays with me, for me, and over me.
Today’s service was a special experience. It was one of those times when I was prayed over, it was especially comforting as we also announced the date for Dianne’s memorial service today. But by far the most powerful act of love and support today came from my little sister in Christ, Jell. She used one of my favourite images of Dianne from my Facebook and copied it to accompany words of comfort and support. She is truly a precious and pure heart, and the little note will be prized by me and find pride of place among the condolence cards I have received. I have put a link to the picture below, I am not tech savvy enough to know if it will open for others, but if it does, you will see the love in it.
My blessings are daily, as is the love from my family eternal.
Padre
In I Thessalonians 5:11, Paul wrote: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” There are many ways in which we can lift each other up. First and foremost of these is in the act of prayer. The act of intercessory prayer is a mighty one. It taps into the central power of all creation – God – in order to strengthen and provide for the needs of others.
In addition to prayer there are our words of kindness and encouragement. It is easy to get lost in one’s own struggles and to feel alone – “I am the only one suffering this,” or “nobody cares.” But a gentle word can prove to be, not just a “reality check,” but a load lifter all on its own.
My wife, Dianne addressed this “ministry of encouragement” in the face of her own illness. It is part of her legacy of faith, that she set out to lift others while she herself was in decline. Below is a posting where she discussed it.
Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami: ‘When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.’
I make a public posting almost everyday, and document how i am coping and remind readers that God is helping me through.
I do this because i want to connect with others out there, perhaps suffering terrible trials, maybe even waiting through terminal cancer as i am, maybe you have relatives out there who have a diagnosis or you just want to understand. Possibly you are prepared to pray for me to make my journey easier.
Whatever the reason, this is possibly my legacy, all i have to leave behind.
I have prayed to be healed and certainly believe God can heal me, but i wont know the truth until my time limit of 6-18m[onths] is over.
Most of the time i try not to think about it, but it an ever present ‘spectre at the feast’ and colours every decision to some extent.
In my case i will potentially be mostly well, until suddenly i am not, and then it would be a quick decline.
I do have other co morbid issues though which make me generally ill and confine my to the house largely, often to bed for long periods. These are the issues my post largely comments on and also logs my positive attitude, which i work hard to maintain.
There are issues i havent touched on yet, the stress of not knowing, will i see another birthday… The loneliness of being home all the time but too ill to really see anyone. The pressure to leave something positive behind, to not be an extra burden to loved ones, to be upbeat and cheerful, to ensure nothing is left undone, and just waiting to see …knowing everytime i am in pain or have a new symptom my husband worries and quietly panics inside.
It is a fulltime job, this being brave: as my mum described it today. But -it is what it is, and i am doing all i can, -all i believe God is guiding me to do.
Cancer… Is a terrible word, it has terrible connitations. i pray daily for those who have relatives who are suffering this cruel monster, who struggle to hold their life together whilst quietly being terrified and out of control.
But, God is there for all of us, he walks us into the storm, holds our hands through it and brings us out the other side changed, improved, sanctified.
Never forget to check if you are holding His hand each day (Dianne’s posting for 24 September 2018).
She was indeed “mostly well, until suddenly [she] am not, and then it would be a quick decline.” Her decline was a matter of four days, but her bravery, concern for others, and this wonderful reminder to hold God’s hand daily inspire me to carry on.
Padre
As I was doing my daily study, which these days also includes readings from Dianne’s prayer and study journals I found reference to the power of such loving unity. Matthew 18:19 tells us, “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” Agreement in love. Love in agreement. Let us do so, then as Pastor Vince reminded us on the weekend, look out for the tidal wave to come.
Padre
Padre's Ramblings 