“Get up & Go” (06/13/2025)

This morning, as I sat on my porch with the mixed chorus of wrens and lawn mowers in the background, I said my prayers and thought of the host of things on my “to do list” inside. But this morning, my get up and go seems to have got up and gone. This morning, honestly, I have the energy of a rock. And then I heard my sister’s voice in my heart and head saying, “Sometimes you’ll have that.” And I laughed out loud. She’s right. Life’s like that, sometimes.

Truth is, I struggle some days to get going. And I don’t think I am alone. But the LORD never promised us that “the Way” was Easy Street. And in my struggle, the LORD did what the LORD does best. Providentially, the first reading for today is from Paul’s 2nd Letter to the Corinthians and the words resonated in my heart and illuminated my mind. Paul reminds us that we are “earthen vessels.”  “The power” is from the LORD, not from us. Then he goes on to say: “We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the Body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.” I read those words several times. Paul understood. Christ understands. The LORD is with me.  Will I open up and let Him in?

This week has held a host of experiences that have shown me clearly the resilience of the mind, heart and body of those who have faith, who trust in the LORD, and whose lives are fueled by the LORD’s love for them and their love for the LORD and others. I have watched as a family and friends gathered to honor the life of and mourn the loss of a beloved mother and grandmother and friend. I have witnessed the kindness of others expressed in their labors for others at the grocery store, in the city park, on the street, in our parish church. I have seen another live Christ and her love for Him in a difficult moment rather than respond to unkindness with unkindness.

As we continue our spiritual journeys, I pray that we use all the LORD has given to us in the forms of His loving presence which no one can take away except us, in His Word in Scripture, in the example of others along the way, and in the loving companionship of others. We will experience difficult times, hard times, trials and tribulations. But let us not become discouraged. Let us not abandon Christ's “Way” nor stray from His footsteps. Let us always remember that our life is from our LORD and our LORD is our life’s source, our origin and our destination. And let us daily make our way along His Way. And when we run into obstacles or personal needs, let us turn to Him knowing He will gift us, grace us, and help us use the gifts He’s given us for the journey.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.