Coming Home

We had just returned from visiting our son at a minimum custody prison. A hummingbird mistakenly flew inside our home. The trapped bird flew in circles and bumped into the walls while trying to find an escape route. After several minutes of anxious struggle, the exhausted creature rested high atop a ceiling fan that was not in use. My husband stepped on a chair and reached the little bird. The little hummer was tired and did not struggle while he walked it outdoors. Immediately after walking to the patio, he opened his hand and the bird flew to a nearby tree — free at last! It rested for a short while, regaining its strength and then flew off into the blue sky.

I could not help but think of the inmates we had left behind. Once they had all been free. Due to bad choices they found themselves confined to prison. Like a bird in a cage. It is my prayer that once the inmates regain their freedom, they too will find rest, regain their strength and then stretch their wings. I wish for them to become successful in their family units and in the workforce. I wish for them a deep and abiding faith. Not necessarily my faith or church, but a faith and house of worship of their own choosing that will sustain them and ‘bring them home’.

Our son will be released from prison in less than a month. The above incident occurred when our son was imprisoned the first time. This is his second incarceration. Like any parent, I have concerns. Genuine concerns. I find that just like that little bird I sometimes struggle intently with an issue or problem. Worry creeps in as I try to find my way back out. Mostly, I have control issues. Before long, I am tired and exhausted.

In our church office, we provide bus passes free of charge to anyone who asks. They only have to provide us with a picture I.D. We explain to them they may get another pass in seven days. We have a number of regulars who come in to get a bus pass.

It is interesting the people and personalities we come into contact with. We purchase 115 passes per month. Some are grateful for the pass and express their thankfulness. Some expect to have a pass and are angry when we run out. Some insist they should have a pass whenever they want one and not wait a week. Some want a pass without providing us with a picture I.D. I am sure there are others who get the free pass then sell it to support their drug habit.

It is obvious a number of these folks are homeless. You can tell by the lack of grooming and... well the odor. Some are very well kept in their appearance and could probably afford the ticket themselves, but we provide it with no questions asked.

With all this description I'm providing have you noticed something? I have. I am making a judgment of sorts on the person or persons. It comes down to the fact that each person has a story. A story that is as unique to them as they are as an individual.

One such man who is a regular left us an envelope a week ago. I gave the contents a cursory glance and then we all discussed its contents. It was his biography, more accurately his autobiography. Not being sure he meant to leave it, we held onto the item knowing he would return in a week.

When he arrived this week, I had to explain that we were out of bus passes and then picked up the envelope and said, "You left this behind last week..." he nodded in the affirmative, so I said, "You wanted us to have this?" He again nodded in the affirmative. No, he didn't say anything verbally, he had stage four cancer of his larynx and had it removed, followed by radiation and chemo therapy. I smiled at him and said, "thank you." Then sat down to read his bio in its entirety.

He explained about his Godly parents, his adolescence, his rebellion, being in and out of juvenile facilities and mental institutions. He described his travels, Viet Nam, and his homelessness which lasted up to his diagnosis of cancer. He then explained in great detail how God was with him through all of this and ended his three page handwritten document with, "The PET scan has shown that I am completely and totally cancer free! GOD DON'T PLAY!" and signs off, Yours in Christ.

This man was born the same year as I. He has virtually been homeless since he was 15 years old. When he became ill, he made his peace with God and reckoned he would die as he didn't have the funds for medical treatment. Imagine his surprise when family tracked him down, took him home, helped him get his credentials and clothing, then took him for medical treatment.

He does have an electrolarynx for the purpose of speaking, but didn't use it this week. Perhaps the batteries ran out. I hope that's the reason and that someone didn't steal it from him.

After reading his "story" I made a copy of it then I took the original to the Senior Pastor. I'll hold onto my copy. I hope my son will read it and see how blessed he is. Perhaps he won't. Nonetheless, this man's testimony was as if one of the ten cured lepers had returned to Jesus to say "thank you."

So, when all my doubts and fears about my son's upcoming release from prison manifest themselves, I can remember the words Paul wrote to the church at Philippi. Instead of being anxious, I can lift my concerns to God in prayer. Not only does God have the answers but also the peace to set me free. He also offers grace… grace for each and every situation.

My son is not mine, per se. He belongs to God. And like the Gentle Man I wrote about above, God will have His way in my son's life. Perhaps not in my time, but it will be in God's time.



Wishing you everyday grace,

Tamara

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

- Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

An Easter People

Do you remember the story of the woman from Luke 8:40-48?

Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. Just then there came a man named Jairus, a leader of the synagogue. He fell at Jesus' feet and begged him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, who was dying. As he went, the crowds pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had on physicians, no one could cure her. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. Then Jesus asked, "Who touched me?" When all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the crowds surround you and press in on you." But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me." When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace."

This woman’s bleeding disorder made her unclean according to Jewish law (Lev. 15:19). No one could touch her and she could be punished for making another person unclean by touching him or her. She was not allowed to go to the synagogue to worship and she was virtually an outcast from society. She might as well have had leprosy. She was after all, a woman and during this time in history and in this culture she was considered to be of less value than a dog.

I think I like the wording of the King James Version even better. It refers to the hemorrhage as an “issue” of blood. An issue…and who among us doesn’t have one “issue” or another? Is it that very issue that keeps you from coming to faith at all? Is it that issue that prevents you from being “healed” from your infirmity and falling at the feet of Christ in reverent gratitude?

This woman put aside her fear of the consequences and came up behind Jesus and touched his cloak, some versions say the hem of his garment. How blatant was that? How bold was that? When Jesus turned to confront her, she fell to the ground, trembling at his feet, and declared to God and everyone within hearing why she had touched Jesus and that she had been healed.

In my mind’s eye, I see Jesus bending down, taking the woman by the arm, smiling at her and saying, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” This woman could now be accepted back into her community, her place of worship and her family unit. She was restored. If, like this woman Jesus healed, we leave behind our pride and fear and come boldly before God, we can be healed. Perhaps this healing is different from that of being cured. Maybe it is that kind of being healed from those infirmities that separate us from God and the community of faith.

 Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
- Hebrews 4:16 (NRSV)

There is something about the community of faith that sets them apart from regular church people… Do you know the difference? Do you? Church people are good people, hardworking people, often they are the backbone of their community, respectable and faithful. But the community of faith – they are the Easter people. They have finally discovered what the Christian faith is all about.

Pope John Paul II said, “Do not abandon your selves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.” So sing it! Sing it loud and sing it strong! Hallelujah!


In some countries women are still ostracized from their communities for physical maladies. One such place is Ethopia. A Walk to Beautiful is a powerful story of healing and hope for women in Ethiopia devastated by childbirth injuries. A difficult journey that begins in loneliness and shame for thousands of Ethiopian women ends in a productive new life and hope for the future in this award-winning film. It originally aired on September 21, 2011 on PBS but you can see it in its entirety here: http://video.pbs.org/video/980049841


Oh my friends and sisters! We may have difference of opinion and belief, but we are women - we are sisters of the heart. If there is ever to be peace upon this earth, if there is ever to be healing from social injustice then it begins with us.  Even so... Amen!

Wishing you everyday grace,

Tamara

When Bad Things Happen

I have a very dear friend. She is my “Fourth Day Sister.” She has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer – stage three. She is being treated and is responding very well. She has the most positive, upbeat perspective about all of this. Last week during her chemo treatment, her doctor brought in another patient, sat her down beside my friend and said, "B. has pancreatic cancer too. Let her tell you how she is doing so well!" So she told this woman, "It's all about God and prayer and hope!" She then had the opportunity to pray with this woman and her son after she finished her chemo.

I’ve been praying for B. continuously. There is even a “closed” Facebook page for her where we send her notes of encouragement, prayers, and affirmative messages. None of us want to think or acknowledge what the worst outcome could be.

My personal prayers have been more often prayers asking God to heal her – totally and completely. I think what I’m actually praying for is a cure. A cure from this dreaded disease. There is a difference between “healing” and “a cure,” isn’t there? No matter the outcome of this dreaded affliction, my dearest of dear friends is “healed” from her infirmity – totally and completely. 

Our group of “Frenzied Fourth Day Friends” holds yet another dear friend. She is the “Church Lady”. Whenever B. has chemo, the Church Lady is there with her to pray, to anoint her with oil and to offer communion. She makes this service available to anyone else in the room who wants to be included. What a ministry she is developing! As mentioned above, even if she isn’t there, then B. will take over ministering and praying with those who are open. Even her oncologist, the physician realizes there is a Great Physician. Perhaps B. doesn’t see it, but she is ministering to him, too!

Genesis 50:20

New American Standard Bible

²⁰ As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.

I believe in prayer and its power. As you read this post, please think of B. and of Church Lady and pray for them and the ministry potential that has been presented to them through this health crisis. Pray not only for B.’s healing but for those who come into contact with her. Pray for the Church Lady that the Holy Spirit will give her strength and discernment for those who want to be prayed for but may feel unworthy of such, or even those who at this juncture may be angry with God for allowing this to happen.

Then I would ask for your prayers for my very own mother who has been diagnosed with a pre-cancerous tumor in her pancreas. Her medical team is “watching” and they continue to do testing to keep a handle on it.Often persons will ask, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Some dare to ask, “Why do believers get cancer, shouldn’t God only allow this to happen to unbelievers?” I’m no genius, but I believe the reason this happens is   a) due in part to environmental reasons and how poorly we have been stewards of the earth and   b) when we can witness the positive faith of the believer in the face of… well, death and through that, minister to others.

Just writing this makes me recall the 23 Psalm:

The Lord the Shepherd of His People

A Psalm of David.

23 The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
² He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
³ He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.

Wishing you everyday grace,

Tamara

P.S.  Have you been finding everyday grace? One of my newest graces is that of learning to appreciate silence!