Honor Due

No experience or sight has ever moved me like that of Arlington National Cemetery. Its situation is so beautiful, so peaceful, serene. Such a paradox considering what it represents. What speaks to me, what touches so very deeply are the numbers. Obviously the number of white crosses in endless rows, each representing a life. But not a single life only, and this is what overwhelms, each cross, each life speaks to so many others whose dreams were shattered and lives unalterably changed forever. Loss unspeakable, grief unbearable.

So this day, while words seem but a shabby offering of deeper feeling, there is heart-gratitude for those who have defended our country, their country through the generations, in war and in peacetime. There is the greatest respect also for those who have lived, who do live with the loss of one loved who fell in or because of battle.

There is the deepest honor felt for those who even now offer their lives for me, for others in wars not of their making.

Giver of strength, O bless and aid

Thy servants 'gainst the foe arrayed;

Go forth with them to fight!

In battle's storm their shelter be;

Thy Spirit grant, of unity

O counsel and of might.

Watch o'er the wounded in the field,

And, where the sick and dying yield

Their souls, do Thou be nigh!

Give peace within the heart distressed,

And peace on earth, and last and best,

Thy peace beyond the sky. Amen

`Elizabeth Wordsworth, 1885, Hymns A & M

Sloth and Tepidity

Reading from an ancient text this morning, my mind-travel came full stop when these words appeared. 'Sloth' always conjures up the image of that unattractive creature hanging upside down from a branch. Spiritually speaking presenting an appearance to avoid at all cost at all times.

But 'tepidity' - that's not a word found often in our vocabulary. While a funny seeming word for today's usage, it certainly apt and has its profound spiritual application. This is not a characteristic that is pleasing. Tepid, lukewarm, nausea producing and wholly displeasing, disgusting to the Father.

Sloth and tepidity - not to be seen in the individual, not to be found in the Church.

The text continues:

It is time now to rise from my sloth and tepidity.

Today I will obey God's voice,

No longer will I harden my heart.

O God! Teach me Thy fear.

May I work while it is yet day,

"for the night cometh when no man can work."

May I run in Thy ways while I have the light of life,

lest the darkness of death seize me.

It always comes down to either/or: sloth and tepidity or obedience, working and running.

It is either the light of life in the soul or the darkness of death.

Simple.

Not always easy.

But rousing, rising obedience is the rule of conduct, of life, of pilgrimage.

Iron Shoes For This Day

Some days the to-do list seems to exceed the energy level. This is one of those days. So when I read Moses's blessing for the tribe of Asher I not only giggled, I was encouraged. (Deut. 33.25)

We are all familiar with the last phrase of the verse "...as thy days so shall thy strength be". That is a promise that always 'fits' and we are always heartened at the thought of it.

But the first phrase is the promise of an amazingly long-lasting form of equipment (this from the King James version) and what struck me today: "thy shoes shall be iron and brass...." Designer shoes of extreme durability for special needs on special days.

While I have preferred bare feet my life long, the idea of shoes to fit the needs of the day is a profound one.

Not everyone is promised iron shoes; they are given when needed and only if they will do the job required. The thought of the extra strength implied suits me this day.. and the footprints they leave should be noticeable, don't you think?

Weather Report

Quite unbelievable!
Today the sky is clear, the sun shines.

Amy Charmichael wrote long ago that "all weathers nurture souls".
Where storm, rain and hail are concerned my soul feels a bit over-nurtured this Spring.

It is a truth, the storms of life do cause growth. I'm most grateful for that fact. But for this Monday in late May, I'm dancing with the thought of warmth and bright.

As I root about in the garden I shall give thanks to the God of All Weathers but shall particularly delight in the sun This Day.

*****

Wishing a happy Victoria Day to all Canadians.
What an amazing queen and woman she was!

Lord's Day Thoughts

O Lord,

I have a wild heart,

and cannot stand before Thee...;

My mind is a bucket without a bottom...,

My will is without power of decision or resolution.

My heart is without affection and full of leaks,

My memory has no retention,

so I forget easily the lessons learned,

and Thy truths seep away.

Give me a broken heart that yet carries home the water of Grace.

He shall drink of the brook in the way;

therefore shall he lift up his head.

Psalm 110.7 - Common Prayer

He drinks from any stream he has to cross,

then charges forward triumphing.

Psalm 110.7 - Moffatt

A Lovely Bit of Burns

Yesterday Scottish poet Robert Burns was mentioned. This poem is among his writings but had never encountered it before. It seemed a startling contrast to what one expects of Mr. Burns. It is a lovely paraphrase of the first Psalm.

Savor and enjoy, Dear Reader.

The man, in life wherever plac'd

Hath happiness in store,

Who walks not in the wicked's way,

Nor learns their guilty lore!

Nor from the seat of scornful pride

Casts forth his eyes abroad,

But with humility and awe

Still walks before his God.

That man shall flourish like the trees,

Which by the streamlets grow;

The fruitful top is spread on high,

And firm the root below.

But he whose blossom buds in guilt

Shall to the ground be cast,

And, like the rootless stubble, tost

Before the sweeping blast.

For why? that God the good adore,

Hath giv'n them peace and rest,

But hath decreed that wicked men

Shall ne'er be truly blest.

A Little Bit Celtic

It's true. It's hereditary. Our blood is mixed but there is a strong rivulet from the Celtic stream.


There are those of us who thrill to the sound of a piper's Scotland the Brave or Amazing Grace. There is something very powerful in the appearance of a man in kilts, knee sox and gillies. Tales of Bonny Prince Charlie, of the courageous and unbending Covenanters and many others strengthen and encourage. We may no longer paint our faces as in Braveheart but the spirit is stirred by these things.

I'll not mention the fact that there are faerie houses in our gardens and all that sort of silliness because today the thoughts are along the lines of the spirituality that goes with this tradition.

There may be those of our branch who would choose to go back only as far as the Scots Presbyterian influence, yet for today's specific thought we must travel farther back.

This focus is a word really, and all that word brings to heart and mind.
"anamchara". The word means 'soul-friend', one who is a spiritual counselor.

We all need someone with whom to share our deepest self. This so we can hear and see ourselves as we truly are. (As Robert Burns wrote:"O wad some Power the giftie gie us, to see oursels as ithers see us!") We need someone who can encourage us to be our best selves, a kindred spirit who can be trusted to be truthful.

Our perfect Soul-friend is most certainly our loving Lord. That in no way diminishes the need of our humanity for one 'with skin on'.

So Dear Reader, may you have a true anamchara in your life, one who travels your journey along side, who strengthens your heart in God.

Deep peace, a quiet rain to you;

Deep peace, an ebbing wave to you!

Deep peace, pure green of grass to you'

Deep peace, pure brown of quiet earth to you;

Deep peace of pure blue sky above you;

Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you;

In the name of the Three who are One,

Peace, Deep peace;

And by the Grace of the King of Heaven and all these,

Peace, Deep Peace!