May 26, 2021 Weekly Update
Hello church!
I saw this headline recently and photo above that got me thinking. Texas construction workers doing work in a neighborhood stopped their work for 3 hours so that an elderly neighbor in the final stages of dying could experience his final minutes in peace and quiet. These workers put the elderly man, his humanity, and his dignity above their own needs, desires, and “deadlines” for just a moment so that this man could experience some tranquility at the end of his days.
As Memorial Day launches us into summer, we will see more visitors and tourists in our grocery stores, restaurants, favorite hiking spots, and maybe even our church. It is easy to feel annoyed at more street traffic, longer lines at the store, and no parking spots at the trail head. Our desires and deadlines will get squeezed and bombarded. I wonder what it would be like – in those moments of frustration – to take a deep breath and invite Jesus to help us see the needs, the desires, the humanity of our neighbors. Maybe we will see a way to bless our guests, and receive a blessing in return.