WOW – I Love Saturdays

I love Saturdays and it is not even “officially” college football season.   Our house is full of activity, family, smells of good food cooking, conversation, dogs barking, dishes clattering in the sink – sounds that are like the music of angels.  I want to milk every moment out of this day God gifted me with, I do not want to miss a single moment.

There was a time in my life when I grew impatient with visits, with noise, with just about anything that did not directly involve my personal interests or priorities.   As my hair disappeared and what was left turned grey God awakened me to the beauty, warmth, security and joy of family, my family, God’s family.  Being inside the second half of one’s life provides a unique perspective.  I look back on my first 55 years, and many of those years can make even the strongest squeamish!  Yet, through all of those reckless actions, I arrived at the station of life I occupy today.  A gift given me by God with which I pray to be a good steward and multiply that gift for God, for God’s People.  And so it is that I reflect tonight on the countless expressions and experiences of love, compassion, and selfless giving that came my way.

I know what  you are thinking.  It is not all wine and roses.  There are struggles; I have good days and bad.  After all I suffer from an incurable degenerative disk disorder complicated by advanced stenosis of the spine and intense neuropathic pain which explains the huge pharmacy bill I pay each and every month.  The pain sometimes exceeds the medications, and I lapse into a depressive or agitated state and am not pleasant to be around, just ask my family.  Yet, they love me through those times, and coach me on coping skills when the pain and moods come.  Nevertheless, this is  life and it indeed happens, whether we want it to or not. 

Recognizing that we are living in an imperfect world broken by sin, death and the devil  and that these things that “happen” to us and around us are not of God, and not even of the devil, but as a consequence of sin in the world in which we live.  And we can make a difference, together, in our faith in God and in each other. 

Together, as the gathered people of God, we make a difference when we see beyond ourselves and our personal wants and needs.  Looking past the walls of our homes to the needs of others makes us instruments of God’s Peace working in the world for others leads us back towards each other and the love we seek, and the love we receive is from God.

I do not know what is holding you back from living free, from living for the Kingdom of God, I can only speak for myself and what I have faced, what I face and what I will face tomorrow.  I know I will face increasing pain and disability, that is most certainly true  nevertheless I have hope, hope that is made real each and every day by the love of God expressed through my dear family and  the gathered people of God I meet and share water, word, bread and wine with at every opportunity! 

It is my prayer tonight that no matter what you face, no matter how painful or how dark the path, know this, God loves you and She loves you perfectly and moreover, we the gathered people of God love you as well.  We are everywhere, especially in the Churches,Synagogues and Mosques  every week. 

Join us!  Come, See and Experience the Greatness of Our God!

Amen