Saints on Safari

We returned from our pre-Easter shopping,  and prepared for Maundy Thursday service.  When we got back to our motor home, I was sorting purchases and enjoying a snack of chocolate marshmallow eggs.  Seeing a piece of something dark on the counter, I popped it into my mouth.  You can imagine my surprise, when it turned out to be – not the bit of chocolate that I had expected, but a bit of potting soil from the hyacinth on the table.

My mouth was instantly muddy, and I scrubbed my tongue while Abby laughed.  Then I thought about those precious friends of Jesus, whose joy in his presence was turned to ashes during the events of this holy week end.  I wish that I could reach back through the centuries to comfort them with the news that Sunday’s coming.

For all of you, and for me, that is glorious news.  Whatever the frustrations and fears of today, whatever the burdens and anxieties,  whatever the disappointments and discouragements that we are bearing now,  Sunday’s coming.  Even though it may appear that the world has fallen apart, the outcome of our safari is safe in the hands of our graciuos and triumphant God.  Blessings to you, as you journey with him.  Soon you will spit out the mud, and swallow the sweetness of his love.

Photo by Donald Crawford Rowe

Not an original reflection, but wonderful words for every saint on safari:

The Breastplate of St. Patrick
I bind unto myself today
the strong Name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One, and One in Three.
I bind this day to me forever,
by power of faith, Christ’s Incarnation;
his baptism in the Jordan river;
his death on cross for my salvation;
his bursting from the spiced tomb;
his riding up the heavenly way;
his coming at the day of doom:
I bind unto myself today.
I bind unto myself the power
of the great love of cherubim;
the sweet “Well done” in judgment hour;
the service of the seraphim;
confessors’ faith, apostles’ word,
the patriarchs’ prayers, the prophets’ scrolls;
all good deeds done unto the Lord,
and purity of virgin souls.
I bind unto myself today
the virtues of the starlit heaven,
the glorious sun’s life-giving ray,
the whiteness of the moon at even,
the flashing of the lightning free,
the whirling wind’s tempestuous shocks,
the stable earth, the deep salt sea,
around the old eternal rocks.
I bind unto myself today
the power of God to hold and lead,
his eye to watch, his might to stay,
his ear to hearken to my need;
the wisdom of my God to teach,
his hand to guide, his shield to ward;
the word of God to give me speech,
his heavenly host to be my guard.
[Against the demon snares of sin,
the vice that gives temptation force,
the natural lusts that war within,
the hostile men that mar my course;
of few or many, far or nigh,
in every place, and in all hours
against their fierce hostility,
I bind to me these holy powers.
Against all Satan’s spells and wiles,
against false words of heresy,
against the knowledge that defiles
against the heart’s idolatry,
against the wizard’s evil craft,
against the death-wound and the burning
the choking wave and poisoned shaft,
protect me, Christ, till thy returning.]
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
I bind unto myself the Name,
the strong Name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One, and One in Three.
Of whom all nature hath creation,
eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
praise to the Lord of my salvation,
salvation is of Christ the Lord.

The Atlantic Ocean is immense in its beauty and unfathomable in its power.  Even those who know it well, from years of living near or on it, can not know it all.  It can not be contained in any of the ways that humans contemplate.  

Yet there are those who attempt to keep it to themselves, as though, by refusing to share its beauty and its power, they gain more importance and more power for themselves.

We drove the coastal road for many miles, just hoping for glimpses of the ocean, and we found a few.  But there are miles in the residential areas that are blocked by hedges and trees, presumably to reduce erosion, and to insure privacy for the residents.  The ocean becomes their private playground, not available to the common folk.

Gated entries add to the reminder that strangers are not welcomed here.

But, every now and then, a public beach invites all, and reminds us that something so vast and wonderful cannot be owned, isolated, or contained.

I wonder what would happen if our hearts, and our churches, and our lives would throw open the gates, tear down the hedges, and welcome ALL into God’s wonderful ocean of love.    How many lonely, lost, forsaken people might enter a safari into grace and peace.

We have found our church home. 

After weeks of wandering, and having visited six or more congregations, we have returned to, and are settling into, St. David’s in the Pines Episcopal Church in Wellington, Florida.

It is not about the preaching, although that is biblical and well done.  It is not about the music, even though it is wonderful.  It is not about the style of worship, which feels like a foreign land to me.  It is not about the programs and activities, although we are welcomed to participate.

It is about the people.  Father Steven Thomas is gentle and compassionate, like our West Virginia pastor, Bert Coffman.  The congregation is phenomenal. Their love for the needy and disadvantaged is evidenced in many ways.  A diverse group, of many races and ethnic origins, they share the love of Christ with one another, and with the stranger, who is a stranger only once.  I know few names, as yet, but I recognize the faces, and they smile and speak in recognition of my face.  Today, walking down the aisle after worship, I was startled as a gentleman caught my arm and hugged me, saying, “Have a wonderful week!” 

And that is why, for this portion of my personal safari, St. David’s is my home.  Loving relationship is the answer to many of life’s questions.

This is a photo of the moon, through the tree shading our patio, as it dances with the planet Jupiter, the tiny light spot slightly to the right and under the moon.  As we enter the second month of a new calendar year, there are some who experience fear because they see impending doom in the Mayan calendar.  Concerned by circumstances beyond their control, they are afraid to draw a deep breath until history has proved the doomsday prophets wrong. 

I am so sorry that some will be wasting this great time, by living in fear.  How wonderful it is to know that the One who hung the moon and formed the planets is also the One who controls time and holds our destinies in his loving hands.

“I have..,not cast you off.  Do not fear, for I am with you.  Do not be afraid, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you.  I will help you.  I will hold you up with my hand”.  (Isaiah 41:8-10)  Live in the light, my friends, and let your safari be a journey of delight.  It ultimately leads you HOME.

Christian Hate Mob Rallies in Annapolis Against Same-Sex Marriage in Maryland.

What ever your religious and personal convictions, don’t the words “Christian” and “hate mob” seem like polar opposites? 

By this shall people know that you are my disciples,  that you love one another…these are the words of Jesus.  ( John 13:35)  Where do we get the idea that it is our business to change the world by hate?

Saints on safari are to walk in love.  He has showed you…what the Lord requires of you:  DO justice, LOVE mercy, and WALK humbly with your God.  (Micah 6:8)  That is all that I am going to say about that.  At least, for today.

Do you ever read something and wish that you had written it?  This is one of those times for me.  I wish that I had penned the words to this prayer, but, like so many saints on safari,  I have had moments of living it.  Here is a beautiful blog, borrowed from a friend whom I do not know.  I do know that she is my sister in Christ.

RevGalBlogPals »   Sunday Prayer,   by Terri

In the still small voice of the rain,
in the wind of the sea, and the warmth of sun
in the deep of night and the heart of day
when we least anticipate it, God calls.
Surely God is always near, right here,
Or, over there.
Surely there are times we know not where.
But surely there are occasions when we turn
When we go regardless, and follow Jesus
Down the unsuspecting twisting road
When we walk with God
because
God walks with us.
In these moments, when we are certain we are lost
When God beckons us and then waits until we turn
To see, to feel, to know, to recognize
God with us.
When sorrow catches a glimpse of hope
When suffering is wrapped in mercy
When despair is held in grace and love
When God is God and there is peace
Peace in our hearts, for that moment
Let us pray.

I love this picture of a resort somewhere…in the midst of a cold and desolate landscape.  The lights not only beckon to safety.  They also beam a welcome to the warmth of companionship and a sense of home. 

In this world of loneliness and isolation, where our virtual relationships may be more dependable than our real life connections, it is good to have a reminder that warms our spirits and welcomes us to be together.

At the dawn of time, God spoke light into being.  In the fullness of time, Jesus came as Light for our world.  In this time and place, Jesus calls us to shine as lights in our world.  What ever you do, and where ever you go during this year, through joys and sorrows, health and disabilities, gain and want, love and loss, I pray that you will seek the Light for your wanderings and share the light on your personal safari.  And may the Light of the world warm your heart and lead you to the warmth and safety of your heart’s true Home.

I wrote recently about sitting with a loved one as she prepared for a Pet Scan.  (November 15, 2011 http://saintsonsafri.wordpress.com )  Today, as I was reviewing the notes that I had scribbled in that darkened room, I remembered the texting conversation that I had with Abby.  I wrote to her that the technician was allowing me to stay for fifteen minutes.  Abby responded, “Stay as long as they will let you stay.  Then stay some more.”

I did not notice until today how powerful those words were, how indicative of the working of God’s Spirit in our lives.  We are living among many people who are disenfranchised with organized religion.  Few have contact with a church, and some of those who do are not sure that they even believe what the church teaches.  Others are outspoken in their distrust of people who profess to belong to God, and even of God, if there is such an entity.

Abby and I move among them in the spirit of Jesus, even when we do not speak of Jesus aloud.  At this time of decorations and celebrations, I heard a man proclaim, and not in jest, “Christmas – Bah!  Humbug!”  And I smiled at him.  He laughed, and continued to grumble on his way, but with a smile on his face. 

How often has it been true of my life – that in my darkest, saddest, most fearful and wondering hours, Jesus has come to stay with me as long as I would allow him, and then to stay some more!   So it is, on the personal safari of each life, I think.  Even when we do not believe in Jesus, Jesus believes in us, and comes to stay, as long as we will let him stay, and then some more. 

Abby’s iPhone was stolen this evening.  She laid it down for a moment in the WalMart women’s room, and it was gone.  No one turned it in at the office or attempted to find Abby to return it.  It was clearly marked with my phone number to call, in case of loss.  We were sad and disappointed that someone was either so needy or so greedy. 

At home later, we pondered the reason that some people are unkind and unethical.  We wondered what we could have done to encourage the thief to return the phone.  Then we prayed for her, that God will use one of the apps on that phone to turn her mind to God and change her heart.

She is, whether she knows it or not, loved by God.  We pray that her personal safari will bring her back into a right direction and a path that will bless others and not hurt them.  After all, she is the one who is being hurt the most.  Please join us in lifting her in prayer.  May this theft be the best thing that ever happened to her.  May it bring her back to the Truth that will set her free.