Super Sunday. A Note From Jan.
Lily and I made Rice Krispy squares to bring to the Super Bowl party held at the home of Matt and Heather’s friends. The host grew up in New England, so is rabid in ways that matter when talking Red Sox or Patriots. AND they have a very large TV! Perfect!
We ate, cheered, and screamed, then withdrew into a communal funk when we fell behind. After “we” intercepted with seconds remaining in the game, all “heaven” broke loose as we yelled, high-fived and cheered the winning team. Ours! Felt good to be on the other side of a “miracle.” Deflated balls? Bah Humbug! “Fickle fun,” some say. Oh, but fun!
Sunday was a fun day. At the end of the service at Matt and Heather’s church, the minister invited “all those celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and occasions of thanksgiving to come forward.” Many came forward to share significant dates and occasions. Most birthday folks stated their age, as well.
One woman said with a twinkle, “I’m Grace and I’ll be 91on Tuesday. Felt proud until someone told me that the good die young.” The next woman simply said, “My birthday’s on Wednesday, and let’s just say I won’t be 91.”
A blessing followed: “Today, tomorrow and always we rejoice in the hands of God. May God’s powerful hands support you. May God’s guiding hands lead you. May God’s loving hands enfold you. We rejoice in the hands of God.” Amen
A day that began with two grandsons duking it out and drawing in church, followed by confessions and blessings, before buffalo wings, and munchies, plus Rice Krispy Treats, and ending with a Super Bowl win for the Patriots added up to quite a fun day.
This Monday morning, all 3 grandkids went to the dentist and then to school. Not every day’s supposed to be fun. But every now and then it’s good for the heart to scream about something that isn’t real life
and cheer for folks you know only by numbers and names on their jerseys
All too soon it’s back to school and dentists and life,
without so much as a sniff of marshmallow treats
but still life and one more chance to declare “This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice in it.” Win, lose or draw.
4 Comments
As Dale said, "This one was for you, Jan!" We screamed and hooted, too! Love you, dear friend, and so glad you are out in CA with Heather, Matt, Lily, Luke and Basil!
Loving this this morning, Jan. From *Streams in the Desert*...
I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth (Isaiah 58:14).
Those who fly through the air in airships tell us that one of the first rules they learn is to turn their ship toward the wind, and fly against it. The wind lifts the ship up to higher heights. Where did they learn that? They learned it from the birds. If a bird is flying for pleasure, it goes with the wind. But if the bird meets danger, it turns right around and faces the wind, in order that it may rise higher; and it flies away towards the very sun.
Sufferings are God's winds, His contrary winds, sometimes His strong winds. They are God's hurricanes, but, they take human life and lift it to higher levels and toward God's heavens.
You have seen in the summer time a day when the atmosphere was so oppressive that you could hardly breathe? But a cloud appeared on the western horizon and that cloud grew larger and threw out rich blessing for the world. The storm rose, lightning flashed and thunder pealed. The storm covered the world, and the atmosphere was cleansed; new life was in the air, and the world was changed.
Human life is worked out according to exactly the same principle. When the storm breaks the atmosphere is changed, clarified, filled with new life; and a part of heaven is brought down to earth.
--Selected
Obstacles ought to set us singing. The wind finds voice, not when rushing across the open sea, but when hindered by the outstretched arms of the pine trees, or broken by the fine strings of an Aeolian harp. Then it has songs of power and beauty. Set your freed soul sweeping across the obstacles of life, through grim forests of pain, against even the tiny hindrances and frets that love uses, and it, too, will find its singing voice.
--Selected
Be like a bird that, halting in its flight,
Rests on a bough too slight.
And feeling it give way beneath him sings,
Knowing he hath wings.
Thanks Jan for keeping life "real life." Generally, when we think of being used by someone, it has a negative connotation. But, you are being used, and used up, by the Lord to nurture others. Or, as Oswald Chambers liked to say, "you are being broken bread and poured out wine (grape juice for the Baptists) for others." I am an "other" who says thanks. Dale
My very elegant and sophisticated sister in law was jumping up and down on the couch she was so excited! :) Love thinking about you being happy. <3