Yesterday morning I held a newborn. Yesterday afternoon I met with a
family whose young mother had died unexpectedly. Life begins. Life ends.
It seems so obvious to say that, but rarely does one experience both in
one day. The memories of one's own are evoked in floods, in both cases.
Do you remember your first child's birth? Of course you do. Nothing is
more like a miracle. Your body truly is God's instrument, carrying hope,
carrying new life. I remember, too, being scared to death at my last
doctor appointment before the due date. And bless him, he sat down and
asked what was wrong. When I choked out that I was afraid, he kindly
smiled and said that women have been having babies since ancient days,
that our bodies know how to have babies. That surprised me. That got my
attention. Of course he was right. Everything was easier after that.
And then, at my age now, (my favorite name is "Grammy") you forget how
tiny and precious those Little Newborns are and then you get to hold one
and it all comes back, the overwhelming joy, the exaltation for this
squalling gift from God.
And then there is death. You went to your first one maybe when you were a
child. I did. A cousin three years old half-swallowed a peanut & choked
to death. I was maybe eight and stood by his casket with his older
sister, maybe seven, and we together tried to take in the immense
stillness of that Small Boy. There were many funerals after that, the
hardest being my Mom's a few months ago. But then I sat with a family
yesterday whose young Mother had died unexpectedly. They were devastated,
stunned, everything you or I would be in their shoes. And again, there
was that immense stillness.
I guess God gives us plants, gardens, corn and beans to show us how life
and death work. First there is the plain old dirt that is seemingly
nothingness, stillness. Then we put seeds or bulbs in. Nothing happens,
not for the longest while, just like a pregnancy that doesn't "show" yet.
Then the sprouting and how glad we are! Things are starting to show.
There is more growth and then fullness reached and then harvest. And then
what? Fall tillage. Stalks are plowed under, vegetable remains are cut,
flowers are trimmed way back. What's happening? We are preparing for
that deep quiet of the earth during winter and fallow time, death again.
Then Spring comes. We plant again. And the life and death cycle repeat.
What word is it that we need to include in that cycle, in fact it means
very life to us to include? Resurrection. Always there is resurrection.
Life, death, resurrection. THAT is the cycle. THAT is what Jesus showed
us, actually showed us. How blessed we are! We must never forget that.
And to God be the glory!
Judy Bergeson, Diaconal Minister
Salem Lutheran
COMING UP AT SALEM:
Vacation Bible School continues for 5 – 12 year olds through Friday noon.
It is joyously noisy around here! Singing, projects, games, marching, all
going on at different times. YAY!
Pastor Janet will lead Week 4 of the Receiving the Day study on Wednesday
eves. A cookout starts at 6 PM followed by the study from about 6:45 till
8 PM. Y'all come; it is all good.
Monthly Morning Ministry takes place in the Chapel Lounge this Saturday,
always the 3rd Saturday, from 9 till about noon. Come knit, crochet, sew,
make prayer books, whatever, and join us!
Market Day orders will be delivered this Saturday! You may pick up your
order in the morning starting at 9 AM.
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