daily life as life goes on . . .

From morning to evening. Starting in the morning, I checked over funeral preparations - the building, the people, the program.  This was a tricky funeral in that the deceased and I disagreed (in a friendly but firm way) on some basic theological thoughts. But we were friends. Which means I desired to be a support to the family.  And to present comfort but not overlook where the contrasts in our thinking were significant. In the end, I trust this was well received - that people heard what was said and, if they disagreed, that they did so out of belief and not anger.  That's the sense I had as we fellowshipped following the service.  May God grant comfort and support to the Chandler family at this time.

At 6:00 Friday night a friend called asking if he could stay overnight.  No brainer!  This morning we joined together for breakfast and a round of talking that circled our friendship, church issues and things that make for fun with a fellow traveler  on the road of life. At around 10:00 Friday night my sister called for a ride from Kindersley to Rosetown.  Today we delivered her car to her in Rosetown.  There are unexpected times when family gets together - not planned but plugging a hole where the last few weeks have not allowed us to be in contact. At 2:00 today I attended a funeral for a minister in our town.  He had died of a heart attack this past week.  Just barely a few years older than I!  The funeral was from a tradition other than my denominational affiliation.  I sat reminiscing on God, tradition, funeral attire and the church. And now, I've just put some final touches on a sermon that was completed in fits and starts this week.  Monday will be a funeral for a contact I had made a few years ago.  He was not a church member but his wife requested my participation.  Sometimes the beginning of spiritual awakenings comes through the small things.  I pray in that direction. May God bless your evening with a sense of his presence and an understanding that the unplanned is often God's plan.

That's the sentiment both my wife and I have had this week.  Every moment seems to have been full, fast and furious.  We've done the doctor thing - renewing prescriptions and checking on ailments.  We've done the program thing - having committee meetings and planning programs.  We've done the funeral thing - dealing with a recent death and comforting family.  We've done the clean up thing - taking down decorations and preparing for floor waxing. In the midst of all this a theme for our youth group was taking shape.  "Prayer".  Prayer that is more than activity.  Prayer that is deeply embedded with time spent in relationship.  Prayer that is more than a list. They appear to be opposites.  In reality they work with each other.  Without prayer there is no effective programming and planning.  Without programming and planning prayers can remain merely dreams and wishes that don't deal with the hard work of relationship. So, I'm sitting at home praying that life will slow a bit - and programming to sit down for a few minutes.  I sense that is a direction that I'm being prompted to take!!  Sometimes God is just plain practical if we will listen.

Down the road from the church a new house is being built.  The framing took only a few days. Now, the roof is being built.  Not in the usual way.  Usually you would lift up trusses onto the walls.  Then you tie them together.  Finally you place the sheeting over top. Instead, the trusses are being built on the ground.  You can see them up close!  Then the roof will be lifted up and placed on the walls. As a group of us talked about this, we wondered what would happen if they are just slightly out in their measurements.  Would their be a way to compensate?  Can you lift and lower until you finally have it right?  Isn't it easier just to build it in place? Like armchair quarterbacks we solved the world's problems - or at least that of building a roof.  Of course, the proof is in the pudding, or is that "in the roof?"