Through Stained Glass: A Mid-Week Reflection-Sharing

Light through windows in the youth room.

Sharing

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.

Do you know where this beauty can be found in
the church?

In fact, the title for the blog, “Through Stained Glass,” came from a story I heard about Bruce. It is my understanding he often told people one of the reasons he loved our church was because at any point during the day, one could find light shining beautifully through our many stained glass windows.

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.

Indeed, sanctuary.

         How many years do you suppose it will rest in the basement, awaiting a grandchild’s visit? No matter how many New Year’s days pass, they will seem as timeless as this one. Each child will look changeless every day to my eyes. But, I know I’ll never find the screws to put it back together properly; and our grandchildren will never believe they were daddy’s or mommy’s teeth which made those marks. I’ll doubt it myself. Nothing could have happened that long ago.

         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

Through Stained Glass: Advent Word of the Day-Don't Be Afraid

Lyrics to Don't Be Afraid

Don't be afraid, my love is stronger,

My love is stronger than your fear.

Don't be afraid, my love is stronger,

And I have promised to be always near

Day 20:  Don’t Be Afraid

Jesus said to the disciples, “Don’t be afraid…” [Mark 6.50]

It is a mantra throughout scripture.

When things are about to get intense or when things are about to change, words Presbyterians have a hard time with, the messenger often begins, “Do not be afraid…”

Don’t

Be

Afraid.

You know what drives society these days, according to some researchers?

Our own unworthiness.

We are afraid of letting people see who we really are and potentially exposing ourselves, so we avoid the one thing that can make us more courageous: vulnerability. In fact Brenee Brown, a researcher at the University of Houston Graduate School of Social Work and author of the best-selling Daring Greatly, says courage and vulnerability are closely aligned and the two qualities can greatly improve our lives.

Being courageous can be scary in and of itself. And at the risk of sounding like one of those pop-Christianity clichés, but these words have comforted me many times:

“Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow.” ~ Mary Anne Radmacher

I guess that is what makes what comes at the end of Advent so profound.

When God could have remained with Godself, when God could have stepped back, when God could have give up, God did the opposite. God entered fully into the story when She took on flesh. It is as if God owned God’s story.

God

                           Became

                                                      Vulnerable.

Again, Brenee Brown says, “Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable.”

Expressing your vulnerability, accepting who you are and letting go of who you think you should be in the process are the key steps to feeling worthy of love and belonging.

Which we all are worthy of:

Love

and

Belonging.

Don’t be afraid to be yourself. God wants nothing more than that from you.

In a time where everyone is trying to be the next big this or that, be yourself, as ordinary as that sounds.

Because what the world needs is you.

And that, that is pretty extraordinary.

In the birth of Christ we see the vulnerability of God.

And vulnerability is the birthplace of love.

Love is our destiny. Love is our name.

Don't be afraid...

Through Stained Glass: Advent Word of the Day-Walk Humbly

Day 18:  walk humbly

"With beauty before me, may I walk 

With beauty behind me, may I walk 

With beauty above me, may I walk

With beauty below me, may I walk

With beauty all around me, may I walk

Wandering on the trail of beauty, may I walk"

-  Navajo: Walking Meditation

Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly…[Micah 6.8]

Stop what you are doing.

Turn off the radio.

Minimize that Word document.

Put your cell phone in the desk drawer.

Grab your hat and scarf.

Put on your gloves and your coat.

Make sure you have comfortable walking shoes, or boots, on.

Go outside

                           And

                                                      Walk.

Don’t scurry like the squirrels.

But saunter slowly over the snow.

Take notice of the trees, bare and exposed to the winter.

Feel your cheeks grow colder, becoming more red.

Be careful, it is slick.

A reminder that Advent is a time to prepare, to walk gingerly, listening for the sights and sounds that the return of light is near.

Do the world justice by silencing the noise in your life.

Love kindness by your attentiveness to the loved ones in your life, and to the strangers you meet on your walk.

Walk humbly knowing that

 you,

                                             Yes

                                                      You

Are

A

 Gift

from

God.

Where you walk, God has gone before you.

Where you go, God has gone after you.

Where you are, God is with you.

God’s promise was one made to a people, not to a building.

Walk, knowing I walk with you.

I’ll walk knowing you walk with me.

Together, we’ll walk humbly as we make a home in the world for the hope we find in the one promised.

 If walking is not an option, I invite you to spend 10 minutes with this video. Listen to the birds. Imagine the warm rays of the sun beaming down on you, warming your soul.

Rest. 

Prepare yourself for the Hope that is to come.