12/16/18
When we arrive in Birmingham Sunday night for the funeral of Joe’s mother on Monday we are tired and hungry. The hotel manager suggests a popular restaurant a few blocks away so we set out walking. Unable to find it, we stop into Dave’s Pizza to ask for directions. We are greeted by a very friendly waitress who is super eager to seat us in this empty restaurant. Her smile droops when we ask for directions to the other place. She then tries convincing us we would love this pizza, it’s the best in town, she says. Her eyes are full of hope and she is once again smiling big. She nods her head up and down so we’ll agree to stay. We look at each other, shrug our shoulders and nod. Kaylee is thrilled. She proudly escorts us to our table and describes the menu. She is well rehearsed and only has to refer to her notes a couple of times. Turns out this is Kaylee’s second week of waitressing, ever, and she desperately wants to succeed. She’s so eager to serve us, however, that it becomes a little annoying. Every few minutes she’s back, asking how we are doing. And yet what is endearing is Kaylee’s need for us to enjoy our meal. She has no idea where we are from, what has brought us to town or what else is going on in our lives. She just wants to do everything in her power to make to make sure we enjoy this meal. Which we do and tip her well. My guess is that waitressing may not be for Kaylee and yet caring for others is a gift she definitely has been given and shares eagerly.
So why tell you this story today? Because, we never know what those around us are going through; how they may be hurting and in need of care, kindness, compassion, and love. No doubt about it, this is a tough week for everyone in and around Newtown. The sixth anniversary of 12/14 is hard. Many of us have additional struggles and heart-ache. We all need to know we are cared for and loved. We all need a Kaylee to show up unexpectedly to bless us.
In one of the SSJE Advent posts this week, Brother Curtis writes, “I wonder if you can receive these words: that you are a blessing to God, and that God is intent on your being a channel of blessing, the blessing of God’s light and life and love to all that surrounds you. Can you receive that: that you are a blessing?” Please know each of you is a blessing to me and together we are a blessing to one another and to this community.
Blessed to be your PIC, Jenny+
When we arrive in Birmingham Sunday night for the funeral of Joe’s mother on Monday we are tired and hungry. The hotel manager suggests a popular restaurant a few blocks away so we set out walking. Unable to find it, we stop into Dave’s Pizza to ask for directions. We are greeted by a very friendly waitress who is super eager to seat us in this empty restaurant. Her smile droops when we ask for directions to the other place. She then tries convincing us we would love this pizza, it’s the best in town, she says. Her eyes are full of hope and she is once again smiling big. She nods her head up and down so we’ll agree to stay. We look at each other, shrug our shoulders and nod. Kaylee is thrilled. She proudly escorts us to our table and describes the menu. She is well rehearsed and only has to refer to her notes a couple of times. Turns out this is Kaylee’s second week of waitressing, ever, and she desperately wants to succeed. She’s so eager to serve us, however, that it becomes a little annoying. Every few minutes she’s back, asking how we are doing. And yet what is endearing is Kaylee’s need for us to enjoy our meal. She has no idea where we are from, what has brought us to town or what else is going on in our lives. She just wants to do everything in her power to make to make sure we enjoy this meal. Which we do and tip her well. My guess is that waitressing may not be for Kaylee and yet caring for others is a gift she definitely has been given and shares eagerly.
So why tell you this story today? Because, we never know what those around us are going through; how they may be hurting and in need of care, kindness, compassion, and love. No doubt about it, this is a tough week for everyone in and around Newtown. The sixth anniversary of 12/14 is hard. Many of us have additional struggles and heart-ache. We all need to know we are cared for and loved. We all need a Kaylee to show up unexpectedly to bless us.
In one of the SSJE Advent posts this week, Brother Curtis writes, “I wonder if you can receive these words: that you are a blessing to God, and that God is intent on your being a channel of blessing, the blessing of God’s light and life and love to all that surrounds you. Can you receive that: that you are a blessing?” Please know each of you is a blessing to me and together we are a blessing to one another and to this community.
Blessed to be your PIC, Jenny+
12/6/18
The thing about life is that you never know. You never know what unexpected news, turn of events or unplanned circumstances are going to suddenly put you in a completely different place than where you were yesterday or even an hour ago. Sometimes we can embrace these unexpected twists and turns gracefully, full of faith and trust and hope. At other times, when the unexpected is way more than we can manage, the only way through is to claw our way out with the help of others. Such is the way of life for all of us.
A week ago, when I wrote in my enews article that Advent is a journey, a pilgrimage, into the deeper places of our hearts as we prepare for the coming of Christ anew in us and in our church, I was completely unaware of the unexpected news that is now integral to my Advent spiritual journey. On Monday my husband, Joe, had an MRI which revealed a rather large benign meningioma, or brain tumor. There’s also a good bit of edema which they are treating with steroids. We hope to see the neuro-surgeon at Yale next week. As bad as this may sound, the news is actually good. The tumor can be removed without impairment. The tumor explains a lot about Joe not being himself. It’s not early on-set dementia which was of concern. So, on the scale of things, this unexpected news is somewhere in the middle. Family and friends are very supportive. Bishop Ian, as my pastor, is being attentive. The staff, wardens and vestry are ready to help in any way. And I know you will be caring and praying as well which means a great deal to me and Joe. I’ll keep you informed along the way.
In another turn of events this week, Joe’s mother who was 94 and in hospice care, died Tuesday evening. We’ll be flying to Alabama Sunday afternoon for her funeral on Monday. So please keep the extended Glaze family in your prayers this week as well. In my sermon on Sunday, as I repeated the phrase, “just keep on hoping,” I now know these words are meant for me as much as anyone. Together may our Advent intention be just this…to keep on hoping, trusting, and believing that God is with us and will never leave us to face this journey alone.
See you on Sunday, Jenny+
The thing about life is that you never know. You never know what unexpected news, turn of events or unplanned circumstances are going to suddenly put you in a completely different place than where you were yesterday or even an hour ago. Sometimes we can embrace these unexpected twists and turns gracefully, full of faith and trust and hope. At other times, when the unexpected is way more than we can manage, the only way through is to claw our way out with the help of others. Such is the way of life for all of us.
A week ago, when I wrote in my enews article that Advent is a journey, a pilgrimage, into the deeper places of our hearts as we prepare for the coming of Christ anew in us and in our church, I was completely unaware of the unexpected news that is now integral to my Advent spiritual journey. On Monday my husband, Joe, had an MRI which revealed a rather large benign meningioma, or brain tumor. There’s also a good bit of edema which they are treating with steroids. We hope to see the neuro-surgeon at Yale next week. As bad as this may sound, the news is actually good. The tumor can be removed without impairment. The tumor explains a lot about Joe not being himself. It’s not early on-set dementia which was of concern. So, on the scale of things, this unexpected news is somewhere in the middle. Family and friends are very supportive. Bishop Ian, as my pastor, is being attentive. The staff, wardens and vestry are ready to help in any way. And I know you will be caring and praying as well which means a great deal to me and Joe. I’ll keep you informed along the way.
In another turn of events this week, Joe’s mother who was 94 and in hospice care, died Tuesday evening. We’ll be flying to Alabama Sunday afternoon for her funeral on Monday. So please keep the extended Glaze family in your prayers this week as well. In my sermon on Sunday, as I repeated the phrase, “just keep on hoping,” I now know these words are meant for me as much as anyone. Together may our Advent intention be just this…to keep on hoping, trusting, and believing that God is with us and will never leave us to face this journey alone.
See you on Sunday, Jenny+