Wow … what does it say when you can’t even remember how to log in to your own blog?
I have been away a long time. Some of it is because of my schedule, but much of it has been a lack of inspiration. My mind has been racing so much it is sometimes difficult to capture a thought. Well the last few days I have been in a weepy mood and just seemed to have crashed. This is common for me in the summer when I’m living without a set schedule. I’m impressed that it really didn’t hit until the end of July … progress.
Yesterday many of us attended a memorial for a friend’s mom. Our friend commented later that she hadn’t gotten a glimpse into heaven. Exactly what I had been thinking. This was a memorial that was truly a celebration of a life well lived. It was inspiring to hear the stories told about this woman by people who had been touched by her in life changing ways. It makes you want to live your life better.
I was kind-of reminded of a wedding when we got there. At weddings the families usually sit on their own sides. You have to choose to root for the groom or the bride. Well we weren’t choosing any sides, but our group of friends ended up sitting all together. I counted at least 19 people. Many of us didn’t even really know our friend’s mom (or each other in some cases), but we were there to support someone we love much through a difficult time. To celebrate with her … to grieve with her … to hold her up … to fill her heart. As we sang, I began to think of the people surrounding me. I had friends from the past and friends I’ve only known the last few years. We were all gathered together because of a common love for a friend. Hmmm … a common love. We tend to speak of this common love often when we talk about God’s family. I was never more aware of my place in that family as I was yesterday. I needed to feel surrounded.
This morning I was looking at my plants that are in the living room. I have one that I actually received when my aunt died years ago. It is one of those plants that spreads and will go everywhere if you don’t keep it pruned. As I was trying to untangle it from the other plants and get it out of their personal space, I saw something I haven’t seen before. It had actually rooted itself into another plant’s pot. Suddenly the phrase “being rooted and established in love” popped into my head. I got a picture of all of those friends being rooted together in One pot. We have our own but we get our prime nourishment from the same Source.
As I tried to untangle all the parts of this plant it became almost impossible. Although it frustrated me with the plant … it made me smile to think … “Go ahead Satan, try to untangle us … it’ll never happen.” I find comfort in that thought.
Even more comforting at times like this is the thought of God’s love. This is my favorite description …
Ephesians 3 … 14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
You can be assured that in the family of God … personal space doesn’t exist. This is actually a good thing.
July 28th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
That service was indeed a glimpse at Heaven. It was so good to know that the diverse group that was gathered was there to rejoice and mourn because of a common love. The ties that connect each of us would make an interesting web. It would backtrack and overlap, and jump around…most importantly, at the common center of it all….Jesus.
I love the Ephesians passage. “I want you to know that which is too immense to be known”…seems contradictory, but when you listen with your heart you can understand. God is so much more than we can grasp…but the things we can know are fantastic (to the nth power!)
As we sang the line of Faithful Love: Faithful love is a friend just when hope seems to end, I had the thought that just about everyone sitting in that group had been there for me at one time or another when I had lost or was about to lose hope. God teaches me way more than I can ever know.
August 17th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
Ephesians 3:14-21 are some of my favorite verses! I have been missing you girls, so I had to check into your blog and I realized how much I need to remain in your thoughts. I know how much that meant to have all of you with Sarah. I wish I could have been there with you all the way you were with our family on some very difficult days. I realize more and more the kind of friend I need to be through Christ and how it gets us through the hard times. I hope you have a great school year and continue to bless those children and adults you come into contact with! Bless you Paige!
Thanks Mel … so good to hear from you. Wish you guys lived closer. Once a year just isn’t enough.