The evening is still dimly lit. The frogs are doing their best to out-sing the robins. The geese have just flown over, heading to whatever pond they have claimed as theirs. My face is illuminated by the lap-top screen, one dog at my feet. Spring is officially here.
This has been a sweet weekend. A granddaughter captured our hearts as she blew out her four birthday candles.Aided by her brother and cousin. Her cake a creation of her great-grandmother and her aunt. All the grandchildren were entertained by running wide-open in the yard of her grandparent's farm.
All of life was illuminated by the beauty of childhood and many cherished relationships.
Quite frankly, it's almost unbelievable.
This morning, a pastor took a moment to speak to us before the teaching time began. His English difficult to understand, we sat enthralled as he spoke and wept, asking for help for his church in Japan. He was visiting here when the destruction took place and when he returns to his home it will be without many of his congregation, most of his town. He boldly asked for many volunteers to come to Japan and help his people rebuild, restore, clean away, have their spirits lifted. He had a word of welcome to any and all who would come and his small frame showed the severe sorrow he bore. Quite frankly, it's almost unbelievable.
As I sit writing this my heart is overwhelmed with joy and sorrow and hope. I pray that someday the children of his town will once again have a safe plot of ground on which to play.
That they will know there are people who care for them even though there is no way to know us.
I pray that they will be able to see joy in their families' eyes and that they too will have a time of celebration of their life. I pray we understand the beauty of our life.
With that reminder, I will embrace the life I have. I will live it to celebrate the love we have. I will be filled with gratitude for each day of life and all that means. If we have learned anything we should know from our far-eastern friends that "seize the day" is not to be ignored. We have so much to be thankful for and so much to share. I don't want to take any of this for granted.
Let's sing with the frogs and run with the kids. Eat birthday cake even when it's not our birthday. Drink deeply of the goodness. Mourn with those that mourn. Sing with those who sing. Call out the good in people and bless those around us. Life isn't always good, but God is.
So... encourage one another daily, while it is still called "Today".....
Hebrews 3:13
This has been a sweet weekend. A granddaughter captured our hearts as she blew out her four birthday candles.Aided by her brother and cousin. Her cake a creation of her great-grandmother and her aunt. All the grandchildren were entertained by running wide-open in the yard of her grandparent's farm.
All of life was illuminated by the beauty of childhood and many cherished relationships.
Quite frankly, it's almost unbelievable.
This morning, a pastor took a moment to speak to us before the teaching time began. His English difficult to understand, we sat enthralled as he spoke and wept, asking for help for his church in Japan. He was visiting here when the destruction took place and when he returns to his home it will be without many of his congregation, most of his town. He boldly asked for many volunteers to come to Japan and help his people rebuild, restore, clean away, have their spirits lifted. He had a word of welcome to any and all who would come and his small frame showed the severe sorrow he bore. Quite frankly, it's almost unbelievable.
As I sit writing this my heart is overwhelmed with joy and sorrow and hope. I pray that someday the children of his town will once again have a safe plot of ground on which to play.
That they will know there are people who care for them even though there is no way to know us.
I pray that they will be able to see joy in their families' eyes and that they too will have a time of celebration of their life. I pray we understand the beauty of our life.
With that reminder, I will embrace the life I have. I will live it to celebrate the love we have. I will be filled with gratitude for each day of life and all that means. If we have learned anything we should know from our far-eastern friends that "seize the day" is not to be ignored. We have so much to be thankful for and so much to share. I don't want to take any of this for granted.
Let's sing with the frogs and run with the kids. Eat birthday cake even when it's not our birthday. Drink deeply of the goodness. Mourn with those that mourn. Sing with those who sing. Call out the good in people and bless those around us. Life isn't always good, but God is.
So... encourage one another daily, while it is still called "Today".....
Hebrews 3:13
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