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| Snow Flakes or Flower Blossoms?Dear Friends, As I sat in the H.'s kitchen in Sacramento one Saturday morning not long ago, Lauren looked out the window and exclaimed, "It's hailing!" We all rushed to the window ("we" being myself and the various teenagers eating breakfast and studying the newspaper). Sure enough, white stuff was falling down out of the sky. "No, it's snowing!" someone said. We looked more carefully. It appeared that indeed, large, soft flakes were floating to the ground. But then we realized that the white blossoms on the dogwood tree (placed beautifully right in front of the window) were feeling the affects of the wind and the hail, and petals were being knocked loose. What we thought might be snow was actually falling flowers. Sometimes life is like that. We can't quite tell if it's winter or spring. We aren't sure whether a storm is bringing blessing or destruction. We don't know if the news we are receiving is good or bad. And often it's not just a problem with our perception. Cold really is mixed in with warmth. Death and new life go together. Good and bad can come from the same situation. Some of you are accompanying loved ones through the experience of cancer. Some of you are in the midst of significant job upheaval or transition. Some of you have had to move from home care to nursing care. You know what I'm talking about. Life is often poignant, and joy and sorrow come close together. Jesus and his disciples knew this reality as well. In a short period of time, they shared the intimacy and love of the Passover meal, a brutal arrest and crucifixion, the shock of loss, and the astonishing joy and awe of resurrection. Then, they all had to live on in a way that could integrate all they had been through together and all they had learned about God. Perhaps one thing they taught us is that life is to be treasured. The snowflake is as beautiful as the flower blossom. Death is as sacred as birth. And no matter what happens, God is always with us.
Happy Easter, and God's Blessings to All! Pastor April Guatemala CountdownPassports have arrived or been applied for. Vaccinations are being administered. Team members are meeting to plan packing and travel strategies (everybody gets one bag for personal items and one bag for project supplies and donations). Departure date is June 28. Please pray for the mission project: those who will travel, those who will host, the work that will be done, the relationships that will grow, the faith and patience that will be required. |
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