I am back in the office and feeling much better. My cough is about gone, the aches and pains greatly reduced, and the overall feeling is, nearly, back to normal. Thank you all for your prayers and good wishes this past week or so; I know it has helped me recover sooner than I might have. I learned again how we all need one another other, in good times and in times of sickness too.
This last week I found myself praying more often, and not just praying to feel healthy again. I was in a very low spot for a number of days, coughing so much that I felt more sick than alive. Longing for a break when my body was not reacting to the need to cough, a moment of peace without the stress of agitation. It is a terrible feeling when illness appears to be the strongest part of who we are physically. So along with prayers of healing, I asked for God’s presence. Yes, to feel the spirit move in and around me, bringing me peace, balance and hope for the next moment. God responded and was there for me, keeping me company during a trying time of sickness. This was a great help and support and felt like a wonderful gift of grace. For I was still sick, but was not alone in it, God was with me and I knew I would be alright no matter what. God’s presence is better than anything.
As I am still not fully recovered, think it best to cancel tonight’s scheduled film, Whisky Galore. We will try again next month to show films for both family and general audience. Thanks for your patience!
Please join us this coming Sunday the 9th for St Patrick’s Day worship and fellowship time afterwards.
I am here this week but away most of next, leading a retreat in Santa Cruz for the pastors of our conference. I will be around Monday the 20th, then gone until Thursday night, the 23rd.
We are now halfway thru Lent, and less than a month away from Easter.
How is your Lenten journey going this year? I have found it to be a busy and challenging time, but perhaps not so much driven by Lent as by circumstances. For sure, it is a time of new beginnings, of openings expected and unexpected. So maybe it is Lent after all! It’s difficult to say where Lent begins and the rest of life ends, but I do know that I am looking forward to holy Week and Easter!
A Celtic prayer to see us out today,
In our waking and arising
be the first thought that enters our head
In our eating and drinking
be the first thought that enters our head
In our walking and journeying
be the first thought that enters our head
In our working and serving
be the first thought that enters our head
In our sowing and harvesting
be the first thought that enters our head
In our rejoicing and sorrowing
be the first thought that enters our head
In our resting and sleeping
be the first thought that enters our head
Amen!
See you Sunday!
Blessings,
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