Friday morning I went to a funeral for a friend who had lived a simple, great life - or is that a simply great life? I had an unplanned holiday the rest of the afternoon because who should argue when the boss says, "No need to come in, it's quiet. Take the rest of the day off." I've told one of our sons that for my funeral it would be great to have Louie Armstrong's recording of "What a Wonderful Life." I know I'm a Pollyanna, but Friday could have been a textbook reason why - It's April, the weather is spectacular, and with camera in hand, I'm out in it! In an unexpected burst of brilliance I decided to go to the Dallas Arboretum. A lot of the bulbs were a little past their prime, but that just made me look other places for beauty. It was a microcosm of life: first outings for newborns; tots playing in the water fountain; school-age children rolling down a hill; young ladies in Cinderella gowns getting Quinceanra photos; people in love having picnics; numerous women with white dresses lifted high as they journeyed from site to site for bridal photos; wedding rehearsals with bored groomsmen and bridesmaids aerating the grass with their heels; Conestoga-style trains of baby carriages pulled into a circle for playtime; pockets of friends enjoying an outing; individuals taking a day for themselves; generations of family walking hand-in-hand, or pushing wheelchairs; seniors taking time on the benches to look over the lake. What beauty there was to be found! Come join me! What a wonderful world!
My prayer for the congregation?
Dear God, please be present in our comings and our goings. You knew us and loved us before we were born and you receive us at the end of our days. It's a circle that never leaves you. We come to you to bless our notable days of birth, baptism, confirming our faith, marriage and death. Gracious God, with glimpses of the vision of the world you envision, help us to do our part to stay in community with each other as families and as neighbors. Make us mindful of the great beauty all around in the budding of spring, the breeze from the lake, the smile on a child's face, the appreciation of a senior receiving help, the remembrances of days well lived and well loved, and the beauty of a continuous grace-filled life when we live in connection with you. Let us never grow weary of giving thanksgiving for all we are given. Amen
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