Today is the second time we’ve been to Saskatoon in a week. Different car each time. The comparison was to be in gas prices.
Now, the price of gas is down by 2 cents. So, some adjustment in calculation is needed. Nevertheless, we figure for every 100 kilometers, the Neon wins over the Concorde/Intrepid. We save about $2.5o/100 km. Almost makes it worth driving the road more often.
Yesterday we buried a lady just one year older than mom (her birthday is tomorrow). My brother died three years ago at the age of 50. Death is no respecter of age — or perhaps age is no respecter of longevity. Age merely registers years and has no authority over life and death.
Perhaps, if we had the foresight, we could begin to count our age backwards from death. Some of us would start of at 22 years, others at 93. We might even make the most of our lives (sadly, I think we would probably gauge our age and do whatever we wanted until the countdown became critical).
For the last few days thunderstorms have blossomed in the afternoon and poured forth in the evening. The warmth of the land and the humidity from previous rains combine to bring showers — sometimes of blessing and sometimes of hail.
This morning I awoke to fog surrounding our home. Not the thick pea soup fog. Rather the light mist that is easily dispelled by sunshine. Now, about two hours later, the fog has lifted and the sun is shining.
For this I am glad. I have a funeral interment this afternoon. Last time I led an interment in the rain . . . well, that’s a story in itself. Suffice it to say that when you think it can’t rain anymore, the heavens open and pour forth.
But, right now it looks promising. May the sun shine where you are today and may God’s presence be yours in abundance, as the rains cover the earth!
What happens when a family has prepared for a death? Oftentimes a sense of sorrow has been there for some time. And grieving and mourning has been ongoing. The actual death, while providing a moment in time that is difficult, is also seen as joyful if the deceased had a full and abiding trust in Jesus, their final savior.
But people around expect ashen countenance and stuttering acceptance. How does a family fulfil both joy and sorrow? I’m not sure. As I watch a family in just such a situation, I’m glad I’m on the inside — I’ve seen both expressions.
Some have only seen one emotion from the family. This can be misconstrued to mean they have not experienced the other emotion.
Which brings me to one of the great virtues of gentlemen and ladies. The ability to give the benefit of a doubt.
My hope is that I will be a true gentlemen to those who surround me. May I seek to be at harmony with all people, as much as it depends on me. And that means taking extra time to check things out before I pass a judgment. This means wanting to see the best of people even when it appears the worst is what they are exposing. This means forgiving and trusting and . . . loving others.
And now, I’m preaching my sermon for Sunday! Sorry, got carried away — drop in Sunday and see how this ends!