GOOD FRIDAY~
So many reasons why the followers of the Man from Nazareth were having a bad day on this particular Friday.
The week began with such celebration.
A parade, singing, palm branches as the King rode into Jerusalem.
The King of kings...
By Thursday, the religious leaders were in such an angry state, they devised a plan to get rid of Jesus. They found one of His own disciples to turn Him in; Judas received 30 pieces of silver for leading the soldiers and Jewish authorities to find Him.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was found in prayer. His disciples were so overcome by the tension and fear that they couldn't stay awake to pray with their Lord. When Jesus was being arrested, they tried to defend Him violently but Jesus stopped them. Instead, He healed the ear that had been sliced off in the defense. And He allowed Judas, His follower to become His betrayer.
The once joyful and confident band of men fled in fear and defeat.
It was a bad day for the disciples. Their hero was arrested, tried, sentenced, flogged, spit upon and nailed to a criminal's cross.
By evening, Jesus was dead.
We know now why this Friday was good.
But today I want to remember the loss and recognize the cost.
Jesus died...for me.
Friday 18 April 2014
Tuesday 15 April 2014
How does a family condense the lifetime of a man into sixty minutes?
Somehow, with over 200 seated in the ice area of the curling club, we found a way to capture the essence of my Dad, Ron Sanders. From singing one of his favourite hymns, "How Great Thou Art" as we, the family entered, to sharing stories and remembrances of his 72 short years, we laughed and cried. From the display table containing memorabilia of Dad's interests and passions, to the last picture taken for the Tartan Curling Club after Dad had retired as manager, we smiled and remembered.
I think the greatest tribute to a man's life is the gathering of family and friends who knew him.
I don't believe anyone came to the memorial service out of duty or obligation.
Everyone who greeted me and gave their condolences were genuinely sorry for our loss - and their own. Dad's smile and friendly banter will be missed around the curling club. His laughter and silly jokes will be noticeably absent from our family reunions and events.
His knowledge of sports and especially curling strategy and technique will be echoing in the memories of our children and many others.
His chair at home will be empty.
His seat at our dining table will not be the same, no matter who takes that spot.
It will take a while before we can play cards without mentioning what "Ron" would say or do with such a lousy hand!
So no matter what he accomplished in 72 years of living, he will be missed for the man he was with all his flaws and endearing qualities.
Appropriately, a bagpipe player piped Dad and the family out of the ice area at the end of the service. As we the family filed out, my brother Scott carried the oak box containing Dad's remains and we gathered at the door to his old manager's office. One last time in the place he spent many hours before we laid him to rest.
Sixty minutes was not enough time, nor could the ten sheet of ice contain the influence of one man's life and being.
But I think we honoured Ron Sanders as well as we could.
And I know Dad would have enjoyed his memorial service because he could have laughed and shared with the people he loved.
Somehow, with over 200 seated in the ice area of the curling club, we found a way to capture the essence of my Dad, Ron Sanders. From singing one of his favourite hymns, "How Great Thou Art" as we, the family entered, to sharing stories and remembrances of his 72 short years, we laughed and cried. From the display table containing memorabilia of Dad's interests and passions, to the last picture taken for the Tartan Curling Club after Dad had retired as manager, we smiled and remembered.
I think the greatest tribute to a man's life is the gathering of family and friends who knew him.
I don't believe anyone came to the memorial service out of duty or obligation.
Everyone who greeted me and gave their condolences were genuinely sorry for our loss - and their own. Dad's smile and friendly banter will be missed around the curling club. His laughter and silly jokes will be noticeably absent from our family reunions and events.
His knowledge of sports and especially curling strategy and technique will be echoing in the memories of our children and many others.
His chair at home will be empty.
His seat at our dining table will not be the same, no matter who takes that spot.
It will take a while before we can play cards without mentioning what "Ron" would say or do with such a lousy hand!
So no matter what he accomplished in 72 years of living, he will be missed for the man he was with all his flaws and endearing qualities.
Appropriately, a bagpipe player piped Dad and the family out of the ice area at the end of the service. As we the family filed out, my brother Scott carried the oak box containing Dad's remains and we gathered at the door to his old manager's office. One last time in the place he spent many hours before we laid him to rest.
Sixty minutes was not enough time, nor could the ten sheet of ice contain the influence of one man's life and being.
But I think we honoured Ron Sanders as well as we could.
And I know Dad would have enjoyed his memorial service because he could have laughed and shared with the people he loved.
Wednesday 9 April 2014
FRIENDS...today I am especially aware of good friends who come alongside when we need them.
In the midst of preparing for Dad's memorial service in 5 days, I was blessed to be invited to spend time with two friends at separate times for "whatever" I might be doing.
Talking.
Listening.
Praying.
Baking.
Errands.
Tea.
While I am more comfortable with the doing and the running of preparation for an event, it is a welcome change to be ministered to by others for the emotional and spiritual part of an event.
To have someone care for me is so wonderful.
To learn to receive this love and care is a healthy challenge for me.
To slow down when I want to "ramp up" is counter-intuitive!
God knows what we need.
I am humbled to have such sensitive and generous friends to support me at this important and fragile time in my life.
Thank You, Lord, for the ministry of friends.
In the midst of preparing for Dad's memorial service in 5 days, I was blessed to be invited to spend time with two friends at separate times for "whatever" I might be doing.
Talking.
Listening.
Praying.
Baking.
Errands.
Tea.
While I am more comfortable with the doing and the running of preparation for an event, it is a welcome change to be ministered to by others for the emotional and spiritual part of an event.
To have someone care for me is so wonderful.
To learn to receive this love and care is a healthy challenge for me.
To slow down when I want to "ramp up" is counter-intuitive!
God knows what we need.
I am humbled to have such sensitive and generous friends to support me at this important and fragile time in my life.
Thank You, Lord, for the ministry of friends.
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