Love, Sweat and Tears

Dear Friends

Sometimes God surprises us! One of the big surprises of this past summer at All Saints’ was how involved Kathleen became with the church Pre-school. She went from occasional part time volunteer helper, to an integral part of the staff. They’re fine with my going home to California this coming Monday. They want Kathleen to stay!

I call this blog “Love Sweat and Tears”. Kathleen was quickly loved, and she loved being with the children and dedicated teachers. Everyone sweats in this climate, and while I sweated most on Sunday mornings in my vestments (with water always close by to drink), Kathleen sweated every day for a few hours. And then there were the tears. Until today it was the tears of little children and their separation anxieties at the beginning of the school year. Today, it was tears that come with saying goodbye.

Sometimes God surprises us. Not all surprises are good, but for Kathleen, the surprise of being needed and appreciated so much, and for the chance to do what she is so good at, was a wonderful one.

John

What's my part?

Dear Friends

Unless you’ve been living under a rock or your head is in the sand, you are likely aware that the climate and “this fragile earth, our island home” is front page, above the fold news right now. Without getting into the healthy debates about what can/needs to be done, I would just note that the picture above (I took it right outside our dining room window on this last Saturday of summer) sends us a message if we look closely and think.

This is the message I got this morning: The unopened buds tell me that there is still more beauty to come! As the great hymn attributed to St. Francis says, “Dear mother earth you day by day, unfold your blessings on our way…”

Nature is doing its part. What am I doing for my part?

A few million young people around the globe took to the streets yesterday to get our attention---they have most of their lives left to enjoy and care for God’s glorious creation. And so I have to ask myself, “What is my part?” and “What will I do?” with the time I have left.  At the least, beyond personal habits and choices, I would think it would be helpful to choose to support one of the many groups already working full time to address the challenges, and to elect leaders who are not cynical but take this issue seriously.

At the same time, all the time, may we thank God, enjoy and rejoice that Mother Nature is still doing her part…there are more buds and flowers to come! As the great poet/hymn writer Isaac Watts prays

Lord how thy wonders are displayed, wherever I turn my eye,

If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky!

John

P.S. The phrase "this fragile earth, our island home", as most of you know, comes from Eucharistic Prayer C in the Book of Common Prayer. Needless to say, it has taken on a deeper meaning since we've been living on this beautiful island!

  

Keep on strummin' Sept. 7, 2019

Dear Friends

I don’t usually talk to “strangers” and certainly not to children/youth I don’t know. But when their parents or teachers are close by, when it seems appropriate, I do find myself saying something like (teasing and serious at the same time) “for job security, go into anything in the medical/senior health or home care fields, and if you have money left over, invest it now in things like walkers and hearing aids”. This reflects, of course, the changing demographics which all point to, as they call it here in Hawaii, the “silver tsunami”. Ten thousand (10,000) Americans are turning 65 every single day, I read a few months ago.

The other thing I find myself saying to young musicians (see photo) is that while we usually think of those in the healing professions as doctors, nurses, counselors, clergy etc., anyone who makes music (or is involved in any of the “arts”) is part of the healing profession too! Music brings healing and hope and joy to people in so many ways. Keep practicing, keep sharing your gift. Someday, when I am using the walker and hearing aids you invested in, I want to, while I still can, come hear you play and sing, watch you dance and act, see your paintings and photographs, smell and taste your kitchen creations, enjoy your poems and short stories.............

Whether it is the middle school ukulele choir we heard at the Kauai Relay for Life a few weeks ago, the background sounds of Hawaiian music at the grocery story, or the music of our Sunday liturgy (guess who gradually worked his way into picking the hymns for September) music (along with all the arts) is the great unify-er and healer and peacemaker.

Keep the music going. Keep on strummin'.

John