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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!

Phase three our our property development is under way!

That sounds pretentious!  We really just have a corner lot on a common street in small town Saskatchewan.  Each year we try to improve the house or yard.  Not unlike a number of our neighbours.

Three years ago we moved here.  The first year we completed phase one — upstairs renovations including flooring, painting, kitchen counter replacement and draperies.  Phase two, year two, was the basement’s turn with flooring, painting and heating duct repair.

This year?  Phase three has begun.  We have replaced eavestroughing (outsourced to a reliable contractor).  Now we are painting window and door frames. 

Today was the first window and door frame.  The colour is white — semi-gloss latex paint.  As we stood back basking in the afternoon sun, we could have used sunglasses.  The look is stunning and blinding.  Only nine more to go!

And the snow falls when??

Yesterday my daughter turned one year older.

So, I phoned her today to see how it felt to be out of the old and into the new.

"Not much different.  Life just continues on." 

That’s not to say that the day couldn’t have turned out larger than life.  Such deliberate pinpoints in time, like birthdays, most certainly can impact us. 

The "slow" pace of life often means  an impetus for change takes time.  And then one day, when you are looking, you make a decision that significantly affects the rest of your life.  Birthdays, anniversaries, funerals are great change point times.  They swoop in and graciously rearrange the furniture of your life.

But sometimes the day passes like any other.  And we can be glad God allows us breath for the day, friends to embrace and the opportunity to see another day.