KIND AND GENTLE

How we pain others that don't deserve our pain, all in the name of power sometimes.  It is known that when power is absolute, absolute power corrupts.  When we enjoy our power base too much, we often are guilty of enjoying our power to the point of inflicting emotional pain on others.  That is bad and when it happens someone gets hurt and no one gains.  It is especially bad when the person doing it is in a position of faith authority.  If you cannot trust your faith leaders, who can you trust yourself to.  Well, the answer to that of course is that you can trust no one but God.  But He has invented this thing called humanity and let it run rampant over his dominion.  It is well and good to know it is being watched over and you are in God's protection, but it doesn't keep good people from doing hurtful things to others...even others they like!
It would do us all good to stop and think when we encounter each other...think about how a few ill chosen words can wound and how a kind word can heal.  I think it is; a soft word turns away wrath...or something like that.  Well, our ecclesiastical community should practice what they preach and be aware that they are not always right and they don't know everything.  They often forget what they preach and forget that God is in charge and it is all about Him, not them.  They are not the founders of the universe.  They cannot turn a star or make a grain of sand.   They can but serve God and his people.  It will be a joyous day when folks decide to love one another and be kind and gentle.  It is possible to be corrective and still be kind and gentle.
That goes for all of us.  This country and this earth would be a better place if we would return to the kind and gentle way of being.  Instead of selfishly power happy, being selflessly kind and gentle.  Firm and correct, but kind and gentle.

Exciting Time

I am excited.  My baby girl will be home for a few days and I am so anxious to see her.  She will be preaching in our pulpit in a week and we are all excited to see her and hear her.  Yeah, I know that my baby girl is about to be a grandmother but I ignore that because it makes me a great grandmother.  But a little girl could not be luckier than to have her as a grandmother.  She is an awesome Mom, so she will be a super awesome grandmother. 
We will also have a chance to see the new Mom to be for her shower while the grandmother is with us.  Should be a fun time and the men will all be crazy because it is baby talking time. So we will once again be a four generation family and I am looking forward to that. 
New baby girl, new minister all in the same month.  May will be a month of celebrations. 
Easter is around the corner, which is my favorite time of the church year.  New hope abounds in our family.  I have a great family and I am grateful for them all, every day. 

A Eulogy for My Brother

My big brother, Tom, died today.  My heart aches for his laugh, for his "Hi, Rosie", and for his quiet presence.  He has deserved this peaceful rest and I have prayed for his release from his physical torment.  I thank God for His grace is taking Tom to his eternal rest but I grieve for my loss.  Not just my loss.  So many people were touched by his life and they will mourn the loss of a good friend.  He only had about 100,000 close friends.  Tom never met a person he did not immediately know for the rest of his life. He was a good listener and remembered everyone by  name and knew something about them.  He was a people person and loved doing things to make others happy.  He provided a higher education for so many young people that I could not even begin to count them.  He took care of those he loved and closely guarded their dignity and cares.  He was a man fiercely loyal, to a fault.  He loved his race horses and took care of them long after they left the racetrack.  He was a family man that absolutely knew what was best for you.  To convince him differently meant you needed to be very sure of all points of the argument and be prepared to defend yourself.  But once convinced, he was proud as punch and told everyone how great you were.  He loved his church and was a good a faithful steward.  God will welcome him and say 'well done'.  He loved to dance and especially he loved jazz.  He was a brilliant business man and had the respect of those who did business with him during his lifetime.  He loved to dress well.  When he was about 14 he went to work in a mens clothing store and thus began his lifelong quest to be well dressed.  He always looked dapper.  He was a beloved son, a loving father, a devoted husband, a stalwart uncle, an adored and adoring brother.  He was so much to so many.  I do not know how to say how special he was, but I will miss him.  He took care of my all my life, watching out for his little sister in every way.  He deserved the very best.  I am sure he haad faults, but it will be hard for me to find one.  I just know I will miss him and his charming smile.