daily life as life goes on . . .

As I sit with various people over these last few days, I’m reminded that there is a life we now live. 

In this case, the life is short for some.  Entangled with sickness and pain.  Even distinguished by spurts of joy but mostly by survival of the not so fit.

And I pray, and I cry and I trust God for daily health.  For not only the sufferers, but for those of us whose health is steady and predictable.

We can plan a vacation.  We can foresee an evening meal with friends.  We can even enjoy a bath and a time of reading uninterrupted by the fog of pain.

And so, I’m praying for many today.  That God’s grace and joy would be yours.  In sickness and in health.

I received a card today.  The content was a reminiscence of Jill.  The intent was obviously for both remembrance,  condolence and encouragement.  That intent was fulfilled.

I immediately phoned Carol and thanked her.  Since our children were little, and our journeying paths crossed, we have been friends.  I consider her wisdom and love for both Jill and I one of the greatest gifts we received in our married life.  And I can see that friendship is not broken even though, as Carol wrote, “Jill has completed her earthly pilgrimage and has gone on ahead to explore new horizons with the Shepherd of her soul, ‘I can only imagine.'”

Of course, that last phrase refers to a song – one of the great points of intersection in our lives.  Carol continues to write music and I look forward to hearing more of her compositions.

Yes, Carol, sometimes a hand written card has impact.  Thanks for your time and effort.  I have over 200 other cards that sit in my file cabinet.  They also express their thoughts of love and compassion.  I am overwhelmed at the network Jill had built – a true and living monument to her that a granite headstone, or a bronzed plaque can never capture.

As Carol directs her ending thoughts towards me, hear these thoughts – perhaps they are for you today.  May you “sense the presence of that same Good Shepherd in your journey through the uncertain terrain and shifting weather patterns of the Valley of the Shadows.”

There are certain things that a fairly flexible ministry position offers.  One of them is the opportunity to fix things.  Most times, my fixing something is not necessary, and sometimes the fix-it part of life really needs to be left to others (for their sake and for my own sanity’s sake).

On certain days, though, taking a small thing and pulling it apart is just fun and good for you.  Frustrating also, but mostly fun.  Such was the water cooler in my office.  Actually my concern was the switch that turned on the “hot” water section of the cooler (how great a conundrum is that – hot water from a cooler!). 

I proceeded to pull the unit apart.  At one point I had to find a specialty screwdriver.  In the end, with a few drips on the floor, I spotted the switch.  I checked out the wiring and found  no other place where a connection had failed or a fuse had blown.

Must be the switch!  I proceeded to pull the switch and yesterday took said switch to an electrical company in town.  Now, there was not an exact replica of the switch, but certainly a facsimile that would work.

After installing the switch, and reassembling the unit, I proceeded to pour water into the cooler.  And water came out.  After quickly finding a drainage area (the sink in the church kitchen) I tightened up everything again, and the water leak stopped.  Of course, I had to go back and clean up.

But, with hope in hand, I plugged in the cooler.  Turned on the heater.  Came back later and had a drink of hot chocolate.  How good is that!!

Yes, sometimes we just need those days where we are distracted for no particular reason other than your mental health.  That was a successful distraction.  Someday I’ll talk about all those days of unsuccessful distractions .

Or maybe not – that would distract me too much!!

This morning I was glancing at the one outdoor flower pot I’ve watched over this year.  We used to have upwards of a half dozen pots or more.  Graced with petunias and willowy strands of other plants I couldn’t name (I usually left that to Jill or the plastic label that came with the plant).

This year, Marilyn, bought me a hanging pot.  No muss, no fuss, just place water in the pot when dryness set in.  Not a gregarious set of plants – pink petunias and another small white flowered vine type of plant.  I think she may have known that I wasn’t about to put together and care for a lot more plants.

Back to this morning.  I ride my stationary bike each morning looking out onto the front porch and the planter.  I blinked a bit.  There was now a pinkish type of flower on a crawling vine.  Where did that come from?  It wasn’t there to begin with.

I guess in life there are seeds planted that don’t blossom until later in life.  And we’re not even sure what to call “the happening.”  Other than good!!