Tire with a Nail

I do not have good car tire experiences.  In fact, my regular mechanic tells everyone who will listen, "this is the lady with all the tire issues".  Suffice it to say, if there is a nail, screw or other puncturing object my tires can find it.  Last spring
while visiting my daughter for the birth of her second child I was ready to leave for home (a 3 1/2 hour trip) when I noticed my car's left rear tire was critically low on air.  Asking my son in law if he had a pump, or where could I go near by his reply was, "well there is bound to be a Quick Trip somewhere on your route.  He obviously did not have the same anxiety about traveling 70+mph on a highway with a bad tire that I did.  I turned my GPS on and it led me to a Phillips 66 station which offered free air for 50 cents a shot.  My experience has taught me to always carry a gauge and how to use it, the tire read 20 lbs. Filling my tire to 35 lbs. I prayed that somehow it would at least carry me a ways before it would need more air.  Every bump, every piece of rough roadbed caused me to cringe but finally I worked up the nerve to travel at road speed.  About halfway through my trip I stopped for a cold drink and a cautious look at my sick tire.  It was still holding firm.  I was amazed and pleased but still not confident it would last all the way home.  Those final miles were excruciatingly tense. 
The next day I drove to the mechanic who only shook his head and  said he would check it out and try to repair it.  About an hour later there was a call that indeed a screw had found its way in and the tire was repairable.  Coming to pick it up I was told that heat and speed of my travel had actually saved my tire.  The expansion from the heat acted as a seal and kept tire inflated. 

Now anyone who knows anything about "physics" or cars could have figured that out.  But for me it was a paralyzing fear of what "could happen" if the tire began to go flat while I was traveling.  Most of us live our lives depending on all the systems of life working the way they should.  We don't want to think that something may interfere with our smooth roadbed.  There will always be the occasional "nail" in our roadbed.  Sometimes it will take quick fix and we are on our way again.  And there will be the time when it's a deeper issue requiring a more serious and perhaps even ongoing repair. The lesson for me is that I was worried and stressed out about "what could" go wrong instead of living with an issue that would need my attention but was holding.  My faith is like this sometimes.  Everything goes along and then the "nail" appears and I begin to fret and stew without approaching God for the help, support and calm I need.
Next time I will put air in the tire or call for help.  I'll leave the "hours of worry" for something God can't handle........oh, that's right God can handle it all. 

God on Craig's List?

I believe it, God must be on Craig's list.  No not as an item or wanting to sell something...well maybe.  No God appeared to be active on Craig's list when I was teaching Local License Pastors at the seminary.  Teaching about Worship and Sacraments I planned to celebrate communion with all the liturgy and tradition the "Early Church" would have used.  This included sung responses and hymns.  We were meeting in a sterile classroom so how could enhance the setting to become Holy? The remarkable group of students enthusiastically volunteered to learn the musical responses and agreed we would sing and praise God making the Table and Service come alive with spirit if not atmosphere.  One of the students, a young pastor from Iowa volunteered he often played the trumpet in his worship services and although he had not brought his trumpet he had seen one on Craig's list for $50 and he would be willing explore purchasing it for our service. 

This in itself amazed me that this pastor would take the time to even consider looking into purchasing the instrument and be willing to arrange to pick it up.  He did just that, the trumpet was not too far from the school and in excellent condition.  The day arrived to celebrate the Eucharist and we began with the full service of Invitation, Confession, Offering, Sermon and the Great Thanksgiving.  As each musical response began the trumpet played beautifully and we were lifted to new spiritual heights.  The hymns too came alive with the trumpet accompanying us.  It was a great day and we all felt we had truly communed with our Savior.

The young pastor confessed he had never considered bringing his trumpet nor had he any thought of playing one while in school.  Something just nudged him one evening to look at Craig's list for fun and the trumpet for sale caught his eye....and his heart.

I can't say God hangs around on Craig's list, but then again God works in mysterious ways sometimes.  Praying you have a blessed day and will occasionally check out Craig's list, who knows?

Don't Rush Me

"Don't rush me" was my signature saying from the time I was very young.  With two older brothers who knew what they wanted and how they wanted it, I found making decisions took some thought.  This "pause" on life drove them crazy.  Which now that I look at it from an adult perspective was part of the plan.  Of course there are times in life when we have to "decide" and then just go for it. 

There are a lot of "decisions" happening this time of year.  Graduates are considering what school or job they will pursue.  Couples are saying "I will" to a lifetime of relationship.  Students are anticipating a summer off and what they will do with all their "free time".  Many people move during this time of year which gives them time to re-evaluate what is important to live with.  Farmers are planting what they have been planning all winter and are hopeful this year will be a more productive year.  With spring brings transition and newness of life.  With spring brings a feeling of hope.

And yet, with all the anticipated, looking forward to the changes we feel a little anxiousness, a little "Don't rush me"   kind of feeling.  We know with every change there will be things we like and things we don't.  Sometimes like the Israelites in the wilderness we will be tempted to want to "go back" because the "way is too hard"

I listened to a sermon the other day called "Move On".  The story used was a couple who had gone to the Oregon and were hiking on a trail filled with numerous waterfalls.  Most of the waterfalls were easily seen or reached from the main trail which was flat and easily traveled.  But one particular one which was supposed to be spectacular was a little harder to reach.  The couple decided to hike the trail to this particular waterfall but the trail became rougher with more incline and twists and turns.  Tired they were ready to turn back when a man came toward them obviously returning from their intended destination.  "How much further they inquired?"  The man from another country (probably German) spoke slowly and smiled,  "It's a little further.  The way is hard but it is worth it." 

After this encounter the couple decided they would go on.  Indeed the way was harder.  The path turned rocky, steeper and narrow.  Finally, tired and winded they heard in the distance the "falls"  When they walked a bit further and came to the opening where they saw the most incredible site.  The falls was the most magnificent and powerful they had ever seen.  They stood in the incredible beauty, awe and power and felt the hand of God upon them.  Their eyes, ears and hearts experienced God's majestic creation and they were filled with a kind of joy they couldn't describe in mere words.

When the couple returned home they kept saying to each other " what if we had stopped and turned back?  What we would have missed."  When you find yourself in transition and the way is getting hard, may you hear God whisper, " It's a litte further.  The way is hard but it will be worth it." 

God, the next time I say " don't rush me"  please remind me "it will be worth it"  Amen.

Dove of Peace Looks Like a Small Boy with a Sign

The Dove of Peace today looks like the small boy with a sign.  In a school related "Peace" march last May Martin Richard didn't have an inkling how prophetic his sign would become.  That was almost a year ago. 
On Monday, April 15th known as "Patriot's Day" in Boston the annual Boston Marathon took place and Martin Richard stood in the cheering crowd near the finish line.  Can't you imagine this eight year old jumping, cheering, High -Fiving anyone nearby as each contestant crossed the finish line? His dad had just finished the grueling run and Martin had congratulated him.  While waiting for his dad to return to the family the first explosion went off.  The day begun in joyful anticipation, punctuated by victory now covered the earth with smokey disaster.
The world watched in horror and then grief for the pain inflicted on so many, on Boston.  Instantly because of our information technological age we began seeing images of those running toward the wounded.  First responders appeared in remarkable numbers, others began to reach out and get the injured to help, to hold those who shook with fear and shock.  Out of the ashes rose life and affirmation that God was is and will be with us.  Out of the horror arose a God that cannot be moved.  We are assured God is present in all our storms of life. 
Be Still and know that He is God.  Be strong and courageous for the Lord is with you.  God is our refuge and strength, our very present help in time of trouble.  Be still and know that He is God...
Thank you Martin for believing in peace for proclaiming the violence must cease.  Thank you Lord for your grace, compassion and mercy in Martin's life and now in his death.  Help us finally to see that peace begins with us and can wait no longer. 

Melissa's Tree

Melissa, my husband's first wife, childhood sweetheart was taken by disease in the prime of life .   Her death left two daughters 17 and 21, both whom attended the high school which abuts the family property.  Since the Key family was intricately involved in the high school life, especially band and foreign language club the school proposed planting a tree.  The tree they planted was a flowering crab apple tree ; it was and still is beautiful.  Because of its fragile wood the Midwest storms have taken their toll over the past 24 years.  Their is one broken branch which hangs by a thread but continues to produce flowers and fruit each year. The tree began to look ragged and old even before this past summers drought. We watered it regularly in hopes it would hang on.

This past year we decided to hang a bird feeder to specifically attract songbirds.  In the beginning we did battle with squirrels who of course found a way to hang upside down and eat.  Then out came the artillery bird feeder which was weight sensitive allowing only the smallest birds to light and eat.  Faithfully each day through drought of summer, a dry fall and harsh winter my husband without fail fills the bird feeder each day.  Throughout the snows of winter we were blessed by numerous birds from chickadees, various wrens, even flickers who wintered over.  Of course some feed inevitably falls to the ground and the cardinals and squirrels squabble over the fallen seeds.  Lately we even have two hen wild turkeys pecking away of an evening. 

The most amazing thing about all of this is the tree has new life.  It's as if by attracting the song birds resurrection has occurred. Melissa who was so compassionate about the fragil and the weak would be pleased to see her tree providing shelter and nourishment for such.  We will continue to do our best to keep this sanctuary healthy and safe and attracking all those creatures who come.  And yes, even if those pesky squirrels and turkeys find crumbs we will allow it. 

After all we are called to be stewards of God's creation.  And we are the ones blessed by it.  Thanks be to God!

It's Me O Lord

I cannot live without reading this each day.  The world is often so harsh and I find myself becoming like it.  The news media keeps us hyper-cynical and entertainment tries to relax all sense of civility and values.  When I find myself speaking, thinking and talking as the world this little sign jolts me back.  The essence of compassion reminds us we are all in need of grace, over and over.  Let's remember Jesus said "love your neighbor as yourself" Can't we all just get along?  Peace and love.

Silver Parachutes

Like so many I have been lured into the "Hunger Games" following.  One of the things most fascinating to me is the "silver parachutes" or gifts to the contestants from their sponsors.  Literally fighting for their lives the time comes when a particular thing is needed to continue to survive.  The arrival of a "silver parachute" is dependent upon your relationship with those who sponsor you and how appealing your story is to the viewers.  In other words if you don't excite and capture the audience you are unlikely to receive much support from a sponsor.  It's curious to see how and when contestants garner the favor and receive a gift. 

The twist comes when you receive a silver parachute out of pure grace.  You did not ask and yet you receive.  You might even receive the gift from an unknown source.  A loaf of freshly baked bread could come from some act of kindness you have bestowed on another contestant whom you are supposed to be  ready to destroy.  The story includes the reluctance to befriend knowing in the end only one will remain standing.  However the heart pushes some to relent into a giving nature rather than a taking one. 

What if we saw our lives as those who were commissioned to do acts of kindness, sending silver parachutes to some we do not know,  or even giving away to one who appears unworthy.  Is there not one among us who has not  longed for some act of grace and kindness thinking surely we are not worthy but want it just the same?  And how do we accept a silver parachute from  a stranger?

Of course we are not fighting for our lives.  Or are we?  We follow a God who does not care about ratings or even how we appear on the field.  A God whom lovingly accepts us as we are and sends us gifts of grace which surprise us and delight us.  We are only asked to love one another the same way.  Silver parachutes...how many have you sent lately?