Faith & Life Inspirational Message

Yesterday I had the pleasure to participate in a memorial service.   I have done that probably a thousand times.   Many times I officiate the entire service.   Sometimes, like yesterday, I only give guidance to portions of the service.   I cannot remember a memorial service or funeral where I am not very conscious of the fact a human being died in order for us to be gathering in his or her memory.            The man being remembered and honored yesterday was a person I never met.   I know his son and it was through this connection, I was asked to participate in the service.   I was happy to do so.   My feeling is we never know when an act of kindness or some ministry will bear fruit that is significant in some way.   So I did my part in honor of a person whom I never met.             However, I never mind participating in a service like t...

It all started when I went to my daughter’s apartment.   I am not sure what was different this time.   I have been there many times in the past.   Maybe it was where I sat.   Perhaps I was simply paying more attention than usual.   Who knows?   But that is when I began to notice. I began to notice the variety of pictures she has in her place.   There were two or three pictures on the wall.   They were nature scenes and were quite lovely.   I am always fascinated by what type of nature scene speaks to different people.   Obviously I have known my daughter all her life.   But that does not mean I know absolutely everything about her.   That would be a mistake for any parent to think that! I also noticed some other pictures that were framed and placed around on various shelves.   There were two or three pictures of her wedding. It was easy to remember that day.   That whole wedding thing is still a bit weird to ...

Recently I went to a local restaurant, sports bar place with some friends.   It was late afternoon and the plan was to spend a little time together after work and in a different setting than the one in which we normally interact.   I enjoy these opportunities to be with some folks I like, but some of whom I barely know.   I especially appreciate the chance to get to know some people who work at the same place I do, but whom I never have the chance to see.   I am always amazed to walk into one of these gatherings and see some faces and have no clue who they might be.   It’s a humbling experience, since I usually think I know most people who work at my institution.   Wrong!   I like the fact that getting to know and spend some time with people is the reason we are getting together.   Where we do it is not that important.   But I know food and drink often make the occasion more pleasant, so I am happy to participate. When we go to thi...