Today’s find: Preparations

In the pre-dawn hours at our place this morning, there are obvious hints of the festival to come.

Close to two dozen folks are expected here a bit later today…to mark the 96^th birthday of the gal who helped start it all – my Mom, our Mom, now affectionately known to additional blessed generations as Grandma and Great-Grandma Georgia (G-G-G).

I’m looking forward to the celebration, of course. We all are. But early on this Sunday morning, I’m moved to reflect about why it is we celebrate. What it is we celebrate. And how it is we prepare to celebrate.

Tables One & Two…awaiting the onslaught of young-uns…

Table Three…for the Young-At-Heart…

I myself have lived long enough now to understand just how deeply blessed my brothers and I were to be raised by our Mom and Dad – immersed in love, and hope and expectation. I’ve come to see that not everyone gets such a head start in life, and I pray that We Five have managed to make something of it…that we have passed along a bit of that gift in our own families and communities.

At times, we have been wise, perhaps. At other times, remarkably foolish. But thanks to Mom & Dad’s firm guidance – and the love and wisdom of many others: spouses…mentors…friends…extended family – we certainly cannot claim to be unaware of the promises made to us in Christ.

Such a treasure, isn’t it? I need only look back on Mom’s life to see that her 35,000 days have been anything but a perfect run. There have been more than a few months and years marked by want and economic depression…by wars and rumors of wars…by physical pain and emotional heartbreak…even by profound doubt and fear.

All of that is true, and yet no one who knows G-G-G would say that her demeanor is anything but joyful. There’s a song in heart. There always has been, as long as I’ve known her. And so it’s no wonder that loving crowds gather whenever she marks major milestones in her life. Or even just to spend an ordinary day…another one of the 35,000…in her presence.

Let me assure you: G-G-G would be the first to sing a song of gratitude for all those blessings. She would (and does) thank the Lord, the Holy One, for being present to her – each and every day now for 35,000+ days and counting. And in this holy habit of hers, I find a great deal of wisdom. Not unlike the beautiful promise we find in scripture today, the promise made to each of us who remember to keep watch and pray:

Resplendent and unfading is Wisdom,
and she is readily perceived by those who love her,
and found by those who seek her.
She hastens to make herself known in anticipation of their desire;
Whoever watches for her at dawn shall not be disappointed,
for [we] shall find her sitting by [our] gate.

Let us pause now…to recall that we are in the presence of the Holy & Merciful One.

IHS