A Valuable Lesson Reinforced this Past Week!
Under most circumstances this past week would not be one I would have fond memories of and a true sense of joy as I recall it. You see last Saturday we discovered we had a leaking pipe, not just any leaking pipe, but one in the foundation slab for our home. My initial reaction was what you might expect – what a headache and probably an expensive one at that! But very quickly a quiet voice “whispered” in my heart: use this to think about all the things you take for granted every day that are really gifts and blessings.
My attitude and awareness changed as if someone had turned a light on in a dark room. To be sure there were (and still are) plenty of frustrating moments with this problem (its still not resolved but we have a clear course of action now). But instead of frustration and a sense of helplessness ruling my week I was able to focus much more on gratitude and the peace and joy it brings. What an incredible difference that has made! I know how powerful gratitude is - but I have to say, I am always amazed when I experience the incredible power of gratitude anew.
It began with taking some time to think of the many daily blessings it is so easy to take for granted such as water when I turn on a faucet, light when I flip a switch, TV when I press a button, books to read, family to share with, stores that carry food and supplies, people like plumbers who know what they are doing (unlike yours truly in this arena) and are willing to serve, just to name a very few.
Then I started to think about some of the blessings we have experienced as a church in the almost year-long venture into the virtual world such as our website, being able to reach people in far off places like Michigan and Canada that we otherwise not have reached, the choir members who come to sing week after week, Cathy Dekker leading the choir and Don Dekker working the sound board and doing a million and one little things that have a impact every Tuesday, Karen Euga and Kay Horning and Linda Maulding roving accompaniment, Steve Braginton faithfully videotaping each week (even last week when he was having a reaction to his 2nd vaccination shot), and Barbara Harrell who makes each weekly service a reality on Sunday mornings and has done so much for our website, zoom meetings and bible studies that allow us to connect with each other in new ways that are no longer limited by location, and the opportunities we will continue to have when we once again can gather.
And there are more such as the thrift store workers who have been faithfully at work for many months as well as these recent open public days, and the church staff I have the pleasure of working with, Jeff, Joan, Lorna, Cathy, Karen and John Costello.
On Friday we called our granddaughter Emma in Houston to wish her a happy 8th birthday. The once little girl is becoming a much bigger girl! I couldn’t help but remember my own 8th birthday. I was given a 3 speed “English” bike as we referred to it back then. This bike launched a new experience of freedom (to say nothing about a much easier ride up our hill in low gear). My best friend and later best man, Jack Klein and I went on many adventures together on our bikes. Those memories filled my spirit with a richness of gratitude that culminated in a laugh fill-ed, memory rich phone called our son, Kevin.
This week began with the gift of Bob Flesch’s moon-lit picture of the bay from his Cortez location. Gratitude is indeed the gift that keeps on giving.
Grace and Peace, John