Better With Friends. A Note From Jan.

This was a good day.

Talk about mood swings! Up, down, all around. The day… gray, cloudy and SNOWing again! But better with friends… at the Lenten book study (Judy, Jane, Lillian) working out at the BMW (Ross, Marie, Deenie) phone calls (Sue, Barry, Heather, Chad, Kristina) mail (Darleen, Melva) date for lunch (Gordon and Gail) date for breakfast (Robin and Martha) date set with Brad to go over financial matters, taxes and the paperwork I loathe but must tend, and rereading the story of June’s dad.

Then the basket overflowing with cards and letters from the NET. The lift of reading your words; gifts I’d set aside for another day. Well, this was the day to concentrate on the Third Testament. Years ago, I learned this concept from Dr. David Aiken, Professor of  Philosophy at Gordon. It was part of his testimony. There are the Old and New Testaments…and then a Third Testament…the collection of books we’ve read that God uses to draw us to Christ, teach and encourage us.

Tonight your cards and letters became part of my Third Testament. In some ways, they’re like the epistles sent to encourage and teach the early Church. You saints from Essex, Hamilton, Reading, Concord, Arlington, Chicago, Gloucester, Wenham, Ipswich and other parts of this world…. Your words came full of grace, truth, encouragement, wisdom, strength and love. Saints. That’s what you are. Saints. Life giving saints. Your names may be common but not your words. Saints: Wes, Marge, Melva, Bruce, Sue, Marty, Jill, Lyn. Saints: Dale, Carolyn, Priscilla, Harold, Stan, Gail, Lillian, Dave. Too many to name but each bringing good news. Thank you seems too small for your grand, ongoing gift. The basket’s still filled with unopened treasures.

And then the surprise at Trader Joe’s today. Did me good just to walk into a spring flower show. No ticket necessary. Opened my eyes, inhaled and Spring appeared in buckets just inside the doors of Trader Joe’s None more welcome than the containers filled with Forsythia branches. Forsythia. Harbinger of spring. Forced indoors (like the rest of us) but showing some buds and yellow blossoms.

For sure, Spring will be a forced affair in this part of New England. Tons of snow to melt. Earth to thaw. Buried bushes and bulbs needing supernatural help to shed winter’s layers, poke their heads out and bloom once more. But, then, won’t we all.