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For some time now I’ve stayed away from a lot of web surfing. By websurfing, I mean that constant going from one site to another, idly looking for something new.

I’ve been less and less excited about finding that “something new”. I guess we often go to others for creative thoughts — and that is good. But too often others’ creativity becomes a crutch. Soon there is indeed nothing new under the sun – at least in your own small part of the world.

On the other hand, when you only look to yourself the pickings become fairly slim. You tend to repeat what you already know, maybe a little bit more sophisticated but without a freshness.

Let me add another dimension. That’s what I call the God thing — or as some would say, a thing of “the creator who is the essence of creativity”. Sometimes we encounter a new thought or idea that seems to come from outside of ourselves. And probably it does. Those are true “ah-ha” moments.

Now, the question is to discern when those thoughts are good and when they are less than profitable, loving and caring. Which brings me to the need to understand and to know God. Then creativity will not be blocked, but rather stimulated.

Returning us to the big question of life — how do we know God? Which question, believe it or not, is the question behind the question of my current approach to websurfing!

Today we bought a car.  A 1998 Dodge Neon. 

Not a new car.  In fact one that has a familiar feel.

Last year we borrowed this car while the owner was overseas.  She’s planning to be overseas again for two years.  Just made sense to give the car away — or sell it — which made even better sense.  Only one minor $11.00 two-minute fix-it and things were ready to go.

So, Jill doesn’t have to get up at 7:00 in the morning to drive me to work.  And I don’t have to worry about rides after evening meetings when she needs the car.

All in all, a good deal.

Today we (the good wife and I) headed 30 minutes south of town for another funeral.  Effie was a new face to us three years ago.  We spent some time with her at the Heritage Manor.  The visits always included questions about ourselves and what we were up to.  We would ask her state of affairs, but she always tempered her answers with gracious words, even if there was obvious pain and suffering.

Effie’s son, Dennis, led a service of remembrance.  I was called on to provide a final prayer.  Then, around tables (for that was the setting for the meeting) we got to meet some new acquaintances.  People from the local area.  Nunweiler, Becker, Lindemann.  All good German names of families from generations back.

Just before the service we popped in to the local seniors manor.  One of  our friends now resides there.  Doreen visited with us and then took us for a tour of the facility.  We were royally introduced as her pastor.  As we left, she hugged and kissed us (OK, she kissed my wife).

These are times of remembrance.  Of memories of the past, and of the present and for the future. 

Another day awaits me tomorrow.  Who knows what that will bring?

I enjoyed a funeral today. 

Some people wonder if there are good funerals.

Yes, there are.  Where you know the person, their heart and their story.  And the story is consistent with their life.  One that follows Jesus.

Perhaps in a quiet way.  Perhaps in prayers only heard by the wife.  Perhaps in relationships with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren that is pure fun, includes teaching and love.

That’s what we saw and heard today.  Sheldon had that certain ability to be quietly gracious. 

Kind of makes you want to be like him.  Not a bad sign of a life of rightness!  The family heads back to Swift Current tonight.  Gene, his wife, will spend a few days at home, then head to one of her children’s — perhaps for the summer.  Mostly for a break. 

And we’ll pray for her and the family.  That God will strengthen and keep her in all her ways.