Christ is Risen Indeed!

Easter Sunday shouldn’t be a once-a-year celebration. Everything Christians believe rests on it.

However, in my church home (United Methodist denomination) each year at a special time we do celebrate the resurrection event that is a tenet of our faith.

We begin with Lent, 40 days before Easter. We are encouraged to make a (comparatively) small sacrifice or to adopt a new spiritual discipline to get in touch the tiniest bit with Jesus’ sacrifice and his last days on earth.

On Maundy Thursday, we gather to observe Holy Communion together, in remembrance of the Last Supper Jesus ate with his disciples. Recently, many churches have incorporated a Tennebrae service into this night. The young confirmands assist the pastor in stripping the altar area. The congregation watches soberly as the cross, the candles, the paraments, the Bible — even the offering plates —  are carried out of the sanctuary and hidden. We leave in darkness and silence.

On Friday, there is a huge egg hunt in Daniel Park. Saturday finds the soccer fields full of children. Life is back to normal. Almost. Those who gathered on Thursday may still feel a little sad, unsettled, as if something is lost.

ON Sunday, we quietly enter the still-darkened sanctuary and take our seats. The faint aroma of lilies fills the room. Suddenly —

“CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!”

The organ and piano burst forth in a joyous Easter song as the altar and chancel area are restored. We sing together, we greet our brothers and sisters in Christ and wish each one the peace of God.

Christ the Lord is risen today! Alleluia!

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The Miracle of Palm Sunday

Palm SundayMost of us have heard the story — even if we weren’t raised in a Sunday School environment. On Palm Sunday (as we now call it) Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Crowds cheered and lay branches and even their cloaks in the path. The excitement was spontaneous and contagious.

I recently learned that the donkey was a symbol of peace. Warriors rode horses as they went into battle, but when the war was over the conqueror rode home on a donkey, declaring a reign of peace. How significant that Jesus chose a donkey.

The gospels of Mark and Luke mention that the donkey had never been ridden. Think about that. Jesus rides into town on a skittish, unbroken colt, people shouting and flapping their coats. Kids waving branches. One would expect some pretty frisky behavior from an untrained animal.

But then, Jesus calmed all sorts of storms, didn’t he?

This begins a remembrance of the last week of Jesus’ life. I invite you to revisit it with me.

Read the book. See the movie. Attend church on Maundy Thursday for more of the story.

I’ll see you next Sunday for the rest of the story.

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A Safe Haven for the Least

This week in Arkansas, a young girl left a baby on a neighbor’s doorstep. She said that she was ‘scared and didn’t know what to do.’ That breaks my heart.

Arkansas has a Safe Haven Law. This allows an infant to be left at any hospital emergency room or law enforcement agency anonymously, no questions asked.

I’m sorry this teenager didn’t know this. But she’s not alone. I mentioned the Safe Haven Law at church Wednesday night and no one in the group had ever heard of such a thing.

The late 1990s had a surge in infant abandonment, many resulting in death of the babies. In response to these incidents, a movement began to allow parents to relinquish custody of unharmed newborns to a safe place without fear of prosecution.

In 1999, Texas was the first state to enact such a law, led by then-governor George W. Bush. Since that time, all U.S. states as well as the District of Columbia have passed Safe Haven legislation.

This is a loving choice in the case of an unexpected or unwanted pregnancy — to give the child an opportunity to have a permanent home.

It is sad that the young girl felt she had nowhere to turn. I’m not joining the ones who cry about what she “shouda”. I’m just sorry she didn’t know there was a Safe Haven for her baby. .

For more information:  click here   or call 1-888-510-BABY.

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Reading Aloud

Henry's Awful MistakeLast Wednesday was National Read Aloud Day.  I’m sorry I missed it. March 4 in Arkansas was the day of 40 inches of rain followed by a sno-nami. Like many others I let my focus on the weather make me forget more important things — like reading aloud.

I honed my read-aloud skills when I was a child reading the newspaper to my grandfather, who was blind. I still read out loud — scripts when I’m learning lines, poetry often, a story or essay as I edit or critique.

In the past, I frequently read aloud to my children and grandchildren. And to other children — in Sunday School, Kindergarten, Day Care, Mothers Day Out, Vacation Bible School. In her day, Miss Dot did a killer circle time.

I really enjoy read-aloud picture books, especially when there is an audience of 2-4 year olds to listen. Recently I came across several I had kept through the years. Goodnight Moon and Poky Little Puppy and another that might not be as familiar.

Henry’s Awful Mistake by Robert Quackenbush was published in 1981 by Parents Magazine Press and I don’t remember where I bought it sometime in the 90s. But it’s a wonderful read-aloud book. Henry is a duck who sees an ant in his kitchen while he is preparing supper. He doesn’t want to spray around the food, so he takes after the ant with a frying pan. He proceeds to destroy his house trying to get the little insect. The drawings are delightful, each picture featuring a tiny ant hiding somewhere for the child to find.

I was interested to see this book listed on Amazon, both new and used. It had 27 reviews: 20 positive and the others criticizing mostly the condition of the book they received.

Another favorite I remember is The Broken Vase, circa 1965. Alas, I left my copy at a church where I worked in the 70s. But this book is also listed on Amazon and I fed my sentimentality by ordering a used copy. I should receive it next week. I’m sorry I have forgotten the name of the writer and it was not visible on the website.

This is a story about a little girl who throws a temper tantrum and breaks her mother’s favorite vase. Her mother yells, “You did that on purpose!” and the little girl has to admit to herself that yes, she did do it on purpose. There is reconciliation and a happy ending. It’s a wonderful story of feelings —  anger, repentance, forgiveness and, as I said, reconciliation.

Don’t wait for this National Day to roll around again. Open a book and listen to the sound of your voice as you read.

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Snowbound-ish

SnowboundI learned some things about myself while I was snowbound.

Actually, I would think I know my character pretty well. As one who has taken many personality tests, the first being in 1975, I’m fairly self-aware.

I am bluish-gold (True Colors); my Myers Briggs acronym is ESFJ, though I can’t remember what that stands for; according to Trent and Smalley, I’m a golden retriever; my introvert/extrovert score is a near tie, as is my thinking/feeling; I’m a better helper/maintainer than I am a creator; my spiritual gifts are service and administration.

I gain energy from quiet exercises like reading, but also from super-extrovert activities like being on stage.

So when I woke up to an icy snow day a couple of weeks ago, that was fine. My workplace was closed, I could spend the day enjoying a quiet time.

This was my first snow day since becoming an empty-nester and my house was really quiet. The first day was wonderful. So wonderful that by the second day I was ready to go back to work. However, my office was still closed.

The third day, snow/ice still on the ground, our work schedule resumed … for 3 days. Then another snow day and several days of inclement weather.

And what did I find out about myself? I couldn’t be a monk. All that solitude? No talking? Fasting!?  Not for me.

It’s no fun being a people person when there are no people around.

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