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| Light through windows in the youth room. |
Tomorrow is the
last day of 2014.
For many of us,
we can reflect back on the past 365 days and smile in delight for it was a good year.
For others,
2015 can’t come quick enough as we are anxious to wave goodbye to 2014.
This year
provided lots of opportunities to share life together. From a book study on
Sundays to Kirk Nights on Wednesdays, a family mission trip to Wisconsin and
weekly gatherings to help with Food for Thought, 2014 was a year of service and
sharing for our church.
2014 was the
year I began writing these weekly reflections. Some of them I hope you have
found inspiring. It is also my hope you laughed at some of the stories I shared
about Silas and Chloe. Regardless if you read them or not, I have found this
practice life giving as I have the opportunity of sharing a part of me with you
through these words on a blog.
So today, this
will be the last post for the 2014 year. But it won’t be from me. Rather, I
want to share with you a reflection the Rev. Bruce Allison wrote about New
Years that can be found in his book Links.
Though I never met Bruce, his words in this book and the stories you all have
shared with me, makes it feel as if I have. And that is a good thing.
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| Do you know where this beauty can be found in the church? |
That story made
me smile. And it is the reason why I write.
With all those
words written, I wish you a Happy New Year!
“NEW YEAR’S day
at home, a holiday except for the ‘normal’ emergencies: a wedding date, jello pans, and an upcoming
funeral. I smoked my pipe and watched the children. It seems impossible that
they should change. The Christmas tree is now in the woodpile next to part of
the trunk of last year’s awaiting the kindling saw. Is there anything that
looks nicer than a living room without a Christmas tree?
While I was in the mood, Kathy had me
take the crib out of Josh’s room. It has stood up for almost ten years, since
purchased in Toledo. ‘Macy’s Baby Kempton,’ a name that makes me smile; and it
has tooth marks to bring tears. I think I’d chew on it, too, waiting to be
lifted out of a morning.
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| Indeed, sanctuary. |
Today, while they are all here playing
on the floor, perhaps my heart can comprehend the pure beauty of what they’ll
become, and my spirit know the peace of change. It’s time to light a fire.”
And of course,
the church mouse….
we
are through what is called ‘the holidays,’ and am I glad! they may be holidays
for you all, but for mice they are terrible. if you think it was cold and icy
sunday, you should know what it’s like with no one in the building at all. they
say ‘poor as a church mouse.’ well, i’ll tell you, poor has nothing to do with
it. ‘lonely’ is the word. new year’s eve i would have been glad even for the
company of a-excuse me i spell it c-a-t. i refuse to say that word out loud.
something might think that i was calling it.
anyway,
I couldn’t even watch guy lombardo’s band. pork chop has taken the set home
again, said nobody was watching it here. well, i was.
you’ll
be happy to know that the sermon sunday came through at 14.35.4, including the
scripture. that’s the official word from the resident timer who got a stop
watch for christmas. bonzo got a watch, too, doesn’t even have a second hand on
it. a sure sign of the age i figure.
well,
you all keep your feet under you and stay warm. think of me sometimes.
cm
