the gate

The kingdom we hope for and already live in.

9/11: In Rememberance

IF I KNEW

If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear.

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.


I didn't write this, but felt it fit for today.
Shalom to you friend.

tragedy and humor

The darker the night - the brighter the stars,
The deeper the grief - the closer God is.

I found this quote on another blog...what a lovely proverb to meditate on. As the days go by and I continue my walk of life, I remember the victims of the hurricane, as well as others who have suffered. It all draws me closer to God.

Recently, I borrowed a book called, "In The Presence Of My Enemies", by Gracia Burnham. She wrote it a year after she was released from a year and eleven days of captivity in the Philippines. She and her husband were missionaries to the people of the Philippines for fifteen years. They had gone on a one day vacation to one of the islands to celebrate their wedding anniversary. They literally had less then 24 hours to enjoy some rest and peace before returning to work. In the morning of their departure, they and 16 other hotel guests were kidnapped and taken hostage by a group of people affiliated with Bin Laden. Although most of the hostages were released after a few months or even weeks, the Burnhams were kept for much longer.

Sadly, Gracia's husband, Martin Burnham was murdered the day they were to be released. I have yet to finish the book, but have been truly blessed to have read some of her story. Blessed is supposed to mean - a deep happiness. Not, giddy and joyful, but deeply happy. Of course, I am not at all happy about the circumstances and death of some of those kidnapped. What impressed me was how the couple responded to their captors. Also, how the group took care of each other and learned how to relate to their captors.

Gracia shares about living in small quarters on a fishing boat and a situation that got her thinking. One of the kidnapped ladies had gotten her period and was worried about how to take care of it. All they had were the clothes they had put on as they were hurried out of the rooms by the captors. Gracia suggested making a pad out of cardboard, which a pair of teenagers began to diligently work at. All of a sudden Gracia heard laughter..."As I watched these girls giggling, I thought to myself, "Isn't it amazing how the human mind can find humor in even the darkest situations"."

So, the quote at the top of today's entry struck a cord and reminded me that through the darkest times of our lives, there is always always always the gifts of love and even humor that are given to us by the Creator as a way of moving closer Him and finding peace in the storm we are facing.

I suppose it isn't a coincidence that God has given me the ability to laugh hard over very simple things. When I laugh, I feel a release from anxiety. I also love to make others laugh. I don't think it is "sacrilegious" to find humor in desperate times...it is necessary to come to terms and to find life, no matter where we are currently at.

Believe me, I am preaching this to myself.

gratitude

I feel so thankful to be alive today.

many of us gathered at St. James last night for the weekly Taize prayer mass. what a powerful experience. candles. song. a sense of being together to direct our concerns to God. I left feeling less burdened and a heart full of desire for God and His shalom.

a newspaper photographer was there and took some pictures of my friend and I as we prayed with lit candles. I had no idea he was doing it at the time. after the service he asked if he could add our names to the pictures. sure, I said. get the word out, we are concerned. I made sure the story was on the up and up (can you imagine having your picture attached to a story about a cult or something?) I am kidding but you never really know. anyway, the paper is out on Wednesday so I will check it out. it felt strange to have any attention directed to me when all I am thinking about is the victims of the hurricane. If in any way a picture of me praying helps one other person pray, then it is worth it.

love to all.

New Orleans

My beloved country. I cry for your heartbreak. I mourn your loss. I celebrate that some are saved and I mourn for those lost. I yearn for love and care to be shared to every hurting person involved in this tragedy. Hurricane Katrina.

The news coverage I've seen is just heartbreaking. Now there is violence breaking out, people stealing guns and shooting at the relief workers! It's interesting that the reporters are not making the shooters out to be bad...in fact they are saying these people are just reacting out of anger and frustration from their experience. It will be very interesting to me to see how the rest of the world responds to our pain. The US has helped so many people around the world...I hope people come to our rescue now. I heard that Israel will be sending doctors and people to build make-shift hospitals. I haven't heard anything else in terms of international help.

The people in New Orleans are suffering so much...babies and old people who have been staying in the Superdome are literally dying due to lack of food and water! It's ridiculous! Over 90 people have been arrested for looting. It is going to get much worse before it gets better. President Bush just spoke on tv to assure the American people that help is on the way, but none of the victims heard it because there are no tv's to watch on the streets! the word is not getting to the people who need to hear it the most.

I am praying for quick relief for the victims and patience, love and peace for the relief workers. it's got to be tough to deal with so much sadness and death. I will go light a candle today at my favorite church, St. James, for all involved there.

A disaster like this makes me love my country as it moans with grief. I just wish I could go and help. Relief work has always been something I have wanted to do. I have a friend who left two days ago to help...she is part of an organization that does that kind of work.

I will pray and do whatever I can to help. I will pray for angels to minister and for the Lord to wipe every tear and hold each person who suffers. I am reminded of how much we need eachother. I am reminded of how suffering is often a place from which we learn how valuable life is and how important the Life Giver is to us.

If you want to make a donation, please click on the address below to find out how you can help. It is a listing of various organizations offering help to the victims:

http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/citizenship/giving/relief.asp