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A literal translation describing God’s wisdom in Ephesian’s third chapter is “many-colored”.
“This grace was given …. so God’s multi-colored wisdom may now be made known” (Ephesians 3:8-10)
I think nature gives us only a reflection of the multi-colored blessings of God that stretch into every season of life and through all eternity.
My sister, Bonnie, sent me the following tribute on my mother's first birthday since her passing.
Mom was foremost a servant 1st to her husband as she faithfully had dinner ready every day as he arrived home despite the fact that she never deemed herself a good cook at all. She humbly received criticism and taught us all humor through sarcasm. She was a servant to her family, creatively cutting a whole chicken to get one more piece out of it for her growing family. She ate so many pieces of burnt toast- I thought she liked them that way. While many families resented the constant moving in the military, she was that glue that kept our family strong and close. Though we had very little money- mom never made us feel poor. We were a family and that's how families lived. Finally, she was a servant to the church, faithfully playing the piano and organ at every base we were stationed. We grew up in the front pew so she could keep her eye on us. We also sat with her on the piano bench and turned pages thus teaching us to read music. I thank God for a mother dedicated to raising her children in the church.
Next: her sewing. She stayed up late into the night sewing her children's clothes. We received dresses every Easter and Christmas and there were always a pair of pj's (usually with pins still in them) under the tree. Even though we were home made clothes kids- mom would try so hard to make us feel like we fit in. She would study the popular pocket designs to replicate them on our jean pockets so they looked store bought. They didn't! She taught each of us girls how to sew and stayed up late ripping seems way to small because they were not 4-H strait enough. Her most loving and greatest achievement was a tuxedo she made my brother. Sharp indeed.
And the sweets. Every grandchild knew the bottom right drawer in her sewing cabinet was where she kept her gum. For my siblings and I growing up, it was peppermint patties in that same drawer. We would each sneak one of her stash thinking one would not be missed. Problem is, there were 5 of us and unlike the fish and loaves, these did not seem to multiply with a bag left over. I never saw her angry with us though. Although we were limited in meat for dinner and could only have one small piece of chicken; she always had jello, cake or cookies to fill us up. She always made us special cakes for our birthdays as well. Even Santa in August for my sister Nancy. She wanted to please us. It was a tradition passed down to me as well. You create a cake for your child's birthday- that's what you do. After several years of time consuming cake decorating, my children approached me saying they don't even like cake. They wanted cheese cake. So like my mother before me- that melancholy day came and I was free from that joyful duty. But like my mother who paved the way before, nothing is really a duty when you serve your family- it's a joy.
I preached in Waterford Conneticut this weekend for my Presbyterian colleague Rev. Anne Fuhrmeister. In the bulletin, Anne published this wonder reflection on Fasting and Feasting for Lent.
You are invited, in this Lenten season, to fast from things that do not encourage the life of the spirit, and to feast by joyfully giving, and by participating in God’s grace and power in the world. As we do so, may we nurture our relationship with God and with each other. What can we do?
Simplify one dinner per week for your family, or two or three lunches for yourself, serving rice and beans or something similar, and pray for the many people in this world who would be grateful to have that much.
Give up a daily habit – buying coffee at your favorite coffee place, eating dessert, smoking, that extra hour of TV – and contribute the money, time, and effort saved to the community of Christ.
Simplify your life, reflecting on the difference between what you want and what you truly need. Give away items that you do not need, but that others can use.
“Fast from the fast-paced world:” create quiet time in your day by turning off your computer, tablet, and phone for an hour or two, or by keeping devices turned off early in the morning and in the evenings. Use the time saved for prayer, sacred reading, writing, or conversation about the things that matter. Take up (once again?) the practice of bedtime prayer.
Resolve to take a small step of love every day – giving a smile, a word of encouragement, a moment of attention, a helping hand. Ask yourself, “What did I do today that reflected the kingdom of heaven?
What gifts has God given you? Offer your talent and time to the church in a way you never have before.
Participate in our congregation’s Second Mile Giving every week during Lent, reflecting on the abundance of your own life and your deep gratitude to God. In this way, we share together in being Christ’s own beloved disciples in our communities and world.
Five, ten, or twenty dollars a week from each of us would make a real difference to the work and ministry of our congregation.
May our Lenten fast truly become a spiritual feast
of generosity and new life.
May God give you…
For every storm, a rainbow
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share.
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.
Think through me, Thoughts of God, My Father, quiet me.
Till in Thy holy presence, hushed, I think Thy thoughts with Thee. Amen
