Kick-Off Sunday and Blessed Mondays

Contrary to what you may be thinking, this isn't about football. Though the Patriot's did win yesterday. So what's this about? Well, yesterday, we celebrated Kick-Off Sunday at Christ Church. It was a spectacular day in New England. Perfect weather to gather outside on the new patio. But inside was even better. It was the annual "Blessing of the Backpacks." So, between children, youth, and educators, backpacks abounded. But some brought other symbols for blessing, like diaper bags.

So today I write from a blessed computer. And, while not officially in school, I'm still learning. So, here's last Thursday's lesson from my teacher-friend, Candy. Our classroom? A booth at Gloucester's Seaport Grille.

Candy grew up here, and worked in the fisheries. Her descendants, the Haskell family, helped settle these parts. They didn't come over on the Mayflower, but chased it. So when she talks local history, I listen.

While we enjoyed our "lobsta" rolls, we watched yachts and fishing vessels moored nearby. Candy asked, "Do you know how a ship captain determines if their anchor's trustworthy? " I didn't. "Well, they proof it by taking it out in a storm to see if it holds." And I remembered an old hymn, We Have an Anchor.

The refrain goes,"We have an anchor that keeps the soul steadfast and sure while the billows roll, fastened to the Rock which cannot move, grounded firm and deep in the Savior's love!"

Well, back in 1950, I didn't know much about anchors when we sang those words in a country church in Georgia. I was just ten, or as some say "tin." Folks in our church needed plows, not boats, for growing corn, watermelons and cotton in Georgia's red clay. But still, I knew anchors mattered. I also knew the kind of storms that hit our family hardest weren't weather related. But we learned to trust our proofed-aplenty- anchor, Jesus. And believed we were "grounded firm and deep in the Savior's love."

So, the hymnist asks in verse one,"Will your anchor hold in the storms of life?" It's an important question. And we know from years in school that good questions matter. So do our answers.

As for yesterday's blessings? God waits with more. So grab your backpacks, dancing or running shoes, laundry basket or whatever. Blessings aren't limited to Sundays.

So may your Monday be blessed.

And the rest of your week.