Saturday's Coming. A Note From Jan.

January 13, 2015 · posted by Martha Stout

Musings on Monday morning … January 12, 2015

It’s Monday and Saturday’s coming. The children and I are eager to see you at Jud’s service this coming Saturday. So happy to hear some of you will be there. There’s always room for more.

You’ve not heard from me for a week. Working on the service with the family, Patty and others. Plus I missed Martha, my editor-in-chief.

Buzzing around. Missing Jud’s calm. I’d buzz. He’d calm.

Started skimming obituaries since Jud died. Odd place to find encouragement. Read this morning in the Boston Globe about Bert Cohen, marble collector. Had some Egyptian marbles, more than 3000 years old. Didn’t know him but I liked what I read. Loved reading about a person known for a caring heart, listening ears and an old fashioned game of marbles.

His Dad ran a grocery store during the depression and, “never refused anybody if they needed food for their table, whether they had money or not.” When Bert’s Dad closed the store, “He took all the credit slips and threw them out.” Sounds like,“Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” Bert, the marble collector, had a good heritage.

Bert said, “I’d rather see the children shooting marbles than shooting themselves with drugs.” He also said,”I lose my marbles every day.” Now you know the real reason we connected… .

Skimming the rest of the paper did little to cheer me, other than the Patriots advancing to the AFC Championship next Sunday. Wondering on this damp Monday about Jud’s perspective on all of this we call life. Terrorists rampaging in Paris and other parts of the world. Missions impossible in the long run. Seems we’ve forgotten how to shoot marbles, prefer moving targets.

But it’s not new. Been reading the book of Hebrews. Can’t without weeping but, then, I can see a mincemeat tart and cry. Something Jud loved. Mincemeat.

Hebrews reminds me that God’s faithful became moving targets for the fearful and hateful. Still true today. Hazardous fallout when any religion turns vindictive and political.

In Hebrews, faithful men and women who, under torture, “refused to give in and go free, preferring something better, resurrection … Some of them homeless, friendless, powerless— the world didn’t deserve them!— making their way as best they could on the cruel edges of the world.” (from the Message in Hebrews 11)

Lord, have mercy on those who love and follow you. Those who, this day, are “making their way as best they can on the cruel edges of the world.” Aren’t we all, in small and large ways, doing just that? making our way, the best we can, wherever in the world we are.

I’d not be able to sleep at night if all my sources for news came with paid commercials. Need to sing or play Jud’s favorite song, “Give Me Jesus.”

It shakes me to read the last part of Hebrews 11, “Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised. God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours.”

I don’t understand it but I want whatever God’s talking about. Seems my speck of faith matters. Betting all my marbles on this one My life too.

Give me Jesus.

Bradley Small — January 16, 2015

Jan- well worth waiting that week for this one! - see you tomorrow - blessings and prayers to you all -- fun with the clouds,
:)
Brad

David Gyertson — January 14, 2015

Jan we have our spiritual life retreat this week-end with over 200 students up in the San Gabriel mountains. Even though Nancy and I cannot be with you please know that you have been and will continue to be so much in our thoughts and prayers. What a celebration Saturday will be of God's faithfulness and a life lived in the certainty of that faithfulness. Dave & Nancy

susan mcmullen — January 14, 2015

See you soon, prayers continue🎶

jim zingarelli — January 14, 2015

thank you Jan for your always heartfelt inspiring words. We need more of this kind of honesty, and more shooting marbles, playing, enjoying the company of others. We'll be there Saturday.
You are ever in our prayers, Jim and Kathy Zingarelli

wendy lane — January 14, 2015

I want whatever God is talking about too! Love you and continuing to pray for you with all my heart. Looking forward to a hug!!!!

Alice Shea — January 13, 2015

Yes! Give me Jesus! Hope to be there Saturday!

Mary Macaluso — January 13, 2015

Our dear Jan. We wanted so much to be there to celebrate Jud's life and amazing contributions to this world. Alas, coming from the Philippines is a bit too far. We'll be on the front row in spirit cheering Jud's life...he fulfilled Wheaton's motto...,"for Christ and His Kingdom". He loved your "buzz" and it enriched his calmness. You were an incredible match. We too are so thankful that someday God will clean up this world and make a new one that is truly filled with His glory. Until then, we'll continue to do our small part to bring the Good News of redemption to those who haven't met Jesus yet.
Hope you can feel our long distance hugs every day...as we pray for you. Hugs to your family too...we would LOVE to see you all....maybe in the summer. Sending lots of love and praying for a joyful day on Saturday. Any chance it might be videoed or streamed?

Nancy Gale — January 13, 2015

we are planning to be there.
Love your writing. so funny and poignant at the same time. You are quite a gal!!!

David and Joyce Dixon — January 13, 2015

Dear Jan,
I seriously thought of taking a flight to Boston, but it doesn't seem right at this time. Perhaps in early spring, combined with family visits? We continue in prayer, and will be with you in our hearts on Saturday. May our Lord be truly glorified.
Love, David and Joyce

Kristine Santos — January 13, 2015

Hi jan! I'm so sorry but I won't be able to attend this Saturday. We had a pipe burst at work so we had been out for a couple days and it's going to be crazy in there! I'm so sorry I won't be there. I will be thinking of you and your family!

Meg and Bruce Herman — January 13, 2015

Thank you for this.
Sigh.

Sue Andringa — January 13, 2015

Oh, Jan ... I'm going to miss these musings when the time comes for you to write them elsewhere. And I'm going to greatly miss being with you on Saturday! I am just getting over shingles and now have head and chest cold on top of it. Hoping it's not the flu. At any rate, you would not want me around you. Dale and Marty wouldn't either. They will hug you for Bob and me. I love you, dear Jan, and I'm missing Jud too. We'll be with you on Saturday in spirit and live streaming. Hugs, Sue

Marylou Habecker — January 13, 2015

Dearest Jan,
Somehow I just believe Jud is just cheering you on ... BiIG TIME... From his front seat in Heaven. I don't understand it all... How Heaven "works"... I know we have not been given that understanding... But we always just have to try... Trying to compare it to something we "know"...
So I am imagining Jud... Is enjoying seeing how you buzz.. You wouldn't be you without a buzz. Others can come in and help you "unbuzz"... He is asking Jedus for those people ...and I'm sure He is proving that for you.
We will cherish being with you to give a huge hug and to see you and your family... And somehow try to carry some of the load.. The "mat"...
Rest my friend ... "Come to Me... All that are burdened and heavy laden... And I will give you rest." Praying for you.
Yes... Saturday is coming.., what a "Day of Rejoicing that will be!"
Love,

Steve Macchia — January 13, 2015

Dear Jan, We will be with you in our hearts and prayers on Saturday as you celebrate Jud's life and legacy. So sorry we are out of state and absent for this important occasion for the body of Christ. Receive all that Jesus delights to give to you and yours, In His Name Alone, Steve and Ruth

Martha Stout — January 13, 2015

The service is at 10:00 a.m.

Linda Moore — January 13, 2015

Hi Jan-you make me both smile and tear up (What a gift! :) Looking forward to celebrating Jud's life and legacy with you on Saturday. Just checking...is the service at 10 (what some of the newspapers originally stated) or 11?