Sunday, December 16, 2007

My dearest God,

We canceled church last night. The winds were whipping. The snow falling. Ice gripped the roads. Temperatures were dropping.

I peeked out the window at 4:00 a.m. trying to decide if we made the right decision. Sure enough. I didn't want my flock out on the road so early slipping and sliding. Didn't want any of my older members to fall and break something. A friend had spent the night with us so she would not be trapped in her apartment alone.

Later in the day when some of the roads had been cleared some friends came over to help wrap mission packages. Five of us, wrapping paper and ribbons everywhere. Clothing, toys, books. Gifts from strangers who wanted to show love at Christmas. Who said we closed church? Church had formed in our living room. The items. The wrappers. The recipients who will receive them. We were the hands of Jesus, holding love gifts.

We are privileged,
blessed
to hold
your gifts
of love.
Children will squeal,
parents will smile with delight.
Food will spread
across the table.
They will eat
their fill
and be happy.
We held church today.
Sat at the Lord's table.

Love, Andrea