Finishing Well

Our old friend Willie finished well a couple of days ago. 

He came to the healing and refreshing service on Sunday afternoon, and enjoyed the peace of God that was tangible during that hour. He was telling me about his upcoming heart operation in a few weeks in London, and how his plan was to recuperate and climb the local hill, Scolty, next summer. I said I’d go with him, and I’m sure a lot of his friends would have.

He celebrated his 91^st birthday on Tuesday with his family. And in the night, he slipped away. Quietly, peacefully. 

He certainly never let age nor increasing decrepitude hold him back. Even in these last few weeks he was often to be found with his hands plunged in dishwater after a congregational lunch or coffee time. He was a faithful befriender and visitor of those still shut in. He helped serve lunch every Saturday at one of the care homes. He worked tirelessly on behalf of Alzheimer’s sufferers and their carers. He did it all with a smile and a self-deprecating laugh.

Lord, may I finish my race as well as Willie did. He was a true inspiration.

Early Bird

            

Well. At last there is a reason to be grateful for the six thousand miles and eight hours between me and my dear mother.

I can be her alarm clock.

She needed to wake up early this morning, and didn’t entirely trust the ancient alarm clock she had. So she asked if at noon I could give her a quick ring and make sure she was up.

I was a bit anxious I might forget and spoil the whole thing. So I wrote myself a big note and I didn’t forget, but then I had my Bible study ladies sitting here primed to remind me as well.

They had my back. I had Mom’s back. That’s what community is all about, isn’t it? 

That’s what I love about God. He’s got my back. And yours. And he doesn’t need a big note to remind him to get in touch with me or you. He’s always there, always available, eager to talk, ready to listen.

I’ll never leave you, Jesus promised. Wow. I’m always there for you. Always and forever.

Laid Bare

Poor Dusty. 

All dignity is gone. 

We were up early this morning, walking by the light of a slip of a moon and the bright morning star. Wow. It made me think of Jesus getting up while it was still dark in order to speak with his Father in heaven. 

My reason was rather more mundane. Dusty needed to do her ‘business’ before I slipped her a sedative. Because Dusty has grown increasingly hysterical with age, and cannot abide the Vet. Now I know many dogs can’t stand a trip to the Vet, but Dusty has taken this to a whole new level. 

We’d been for the annual check up in July but she was beyond belief and the vet took our word for it that she was fine. But then we found a couple of spots we were uncertain about, and besides, her long hair was in a terrible twist behind the ears and matt behind the rump, so she needed a little tidy up. 

I quite like my little trips to the beauty shop. An enforced hour just sitting reading a mindless mag and sipping (not very good) coffee. Followed by an emptying of the wallet. Well, I thought my hairdresser was dear but Dusty’s tidy-up, plus the vet’s peek and diagnosis that the spots were actually just innocuous warts, cost a bomb. 

Money well-spent? Not if you ask Dusty!

When the vet’s receptionist called about three hours later, she explained it had taken the brute strength of the groomer and the vet’s nurse together to wrestle the ‘sedated’ dog into submission and shave her nether regions and clip behind the ears, and there was just no way she would tolerate a pedicure. So the long nails remain.

They were all exhausted but smiling when I picked her up. And she, the sedated dog, dragged me out the door, eager to dive into any car just as long as it sped away from the scene of her torment. 

If only she could understand that we were doing it for her own good. But how can I explain it to her when she doesn’t really listen, and when she does, all she listens for is ‘walk’, ‘cheese’, ‘bone’, or ‘pigs’ ear’. 

I don’t suppose there are any parallels with the way I am with God. Never listening, and when I do, only tuned to hear ‘yes’ and ‘I love you’. 

Good thing God never tires of saying those things.

And tonight Dusty has probably earned herself a treat.

Resurrection Bodies!

Still digesting a Tom Wright book, Surprised by Hope, which I read as part of a book group. We met to discuss last night and as I continue to chew over some of the ideas, I find I am increasingly surprised by hope. 

There were so many ideas discussed in the book but I suppose the main one that will change the way I look at the rest of my life is that Jesus’ resurrection shows that his kingdom is here on earth now...and not yet. We see it breaking through, but it won’t be fully realized until he returns to us on earth and we, too, receive resurrection bodies, stand before the judgment seat, and then take up our positions stewarding his creation for all eternity. What we are doing with our time now on earth is important because the things we do to help build the kingdom will last throughout eternity. 

I guess this book has impacted my understanding of what happens after death. I’ve always before dismissed interest in all the arguments about it because I have been satisfied that as long as Jesus is there, whatever it’s like is ok with me. But now, understanding better the Scriptural promises for what it will be like when we are living under the lordship of Jesus in the eternal kingdom of God ... wow. 

I’m excited to get on with building the kingdom - by allowing his Spirit to work through me in spreading kindness, gentleness, love, peace. By lobbying for justice for the oppressed and marginalised. By speaking out for the vulnerable. By loving my neighbour. 

I better go. There's lots to do.

Your Kingdom Come

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

On earth, as it is in heaven.

God is good, all the time. The evil in the world is rampant and running amok. It’s up to us Christians to stand up to it. God isn’t overcome by evil. God is good, all the time. God is love. That’s who he is, the essence of his being. He is the Lord who heals. He is the Lord who suffers alongside us. His kindness is breathtaking and his mercy is overwhelming. His grace is beyond our understanding.

Today I am going to step forward in faith. The resurrection of Jesus over two millennia ago is the victory over death for which the whole creation has been waiting. Yet we are watching the earth slowly die because our stewardship of it has been so greedy, selfish and profligate. 

Jesus died to redeem it too. I am so grateful. It is such a beautiful earth. The news this morning was that the Great Barrier Reef is shrinking away to nothing at an alarming rate. The news this morning was that a wee girl was snatched while outside playing in a town in Wales. The news this morning detailed further atrocities against innocent children in Syria.

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth, Lord Jesus, as it is in heaven. 

Use me today to help bring it about. Amen.