Thought Along the Way . . .

This morning I find myself reflecting on life and death and gratitude. Two friends are facing the imminent death of their fathers. Another friend just posted a refection on Facebook about the five year anniversary of her partner’s death, which triggered an awareness that I am only a few months away from such an anniversary of my own. And all of this is happening a week before the holiday we set aside for giving thanks. How does it all fit together? Our culture often tends to put death at the other end of the spectrum from giving thanks. It is not a subject which is usually discussed in polite company. But I find myself experiencing it differently these days. Slowly, sometimes painfully slowly, I am coming to an awareness of the connectedness of our lives, including our deaths. Of course there is pain and grief when we experience the death of someone close to us. And there is also so much more. Even the pain points us to the truth of our connection. It is because we are connected that it hurts. And that is worth celebrating. That is worth giving thanks for. What happens after we step beyond this earthly existence is beyond my ability to comprehend. And I am confident that the Holy and Sacred Presence who gave us this amazing life has something even more amazing in store. That is worth giving thanks for. So today, surrounded by both life and death, I choose once again to give thanks.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)