What's in a tear?

The Gift of a Tear
Eph. 4:11-13

Last week I visited with a wonderful man whose heart was failing. He has a beautiful family and his wife had requested my visits and prayers over the past month after meeting them in the hospital where I work once per month as a volunteer chaplain. I received a call from his wife that he was dying about 10 am one morning. I traveled to the nursing home where he resided and where he kept himself cheered up as the self-appointed “door greeter.” I had prayer with him and his family, always presuming that he could hear me, even though he was unresponsive. I left about 10:30 am.
I went back after lunch to see if he was still alive. I asked the nurse at the main nursing station (who was as sweet and compassionate as she could be) and she indicated that there was really no change. I opened the door to find the number of family and friends had grown. I indicated that I had spoken to the nurse and that she had told me that there was not much change. His wife indicated that his breathing had become much less labored. I spoke to him. I watched him take two short breaths and then I said that there was a long pause between breaths. He took no more. As he died a tear ran down out of his right eye onto his cheek where his wife collected that tear with her finger and placed it on her tongue. She then began to weep.
I met with the family two days later to plan the funeral. One final question I posed to them was this, “What did that tear mean to you?” Immediately one said, “That my daddy is no longer in pain.” (He had been battling heart attacks and mini-strokes for about twelve years). Another said, “That he didn’t want to leave us! I know how much he loved us all!” Then I asked his wife. She proceeded to get up and go to the refrigerator where she removed a small postcard sized poem written around a tear. The poem was given to her and her husband by the friend/lady who had introduced them to each other (for both a second marriage). The essence of the poem was a prayer that their union would be so complete and that when one cried the other could taste the salt. Wow! The wife said, as soon as I saw that tear I knew that I had to taste the salt!” There’s was a wonderful marriage of unbelievable communion and love, in spite of the health battles.
God brought his presence through the gift of that tear to each of us differently. To me, it was a tear of joy when he saw the kingdom of heaven open up before him – sheer ecstasy. That was God’s love and presence to me. To another it was God’s gift of love through a word of freedom from pain; to another it was God’s gift of love through a parting farewell, as tough as it may be to physically part until they meet again. Each interpretation was valid and each brought the love of God, the gift of God, the “building up” of the body of Christ.
I think of Michael Phelps, who just won eight gold medals swimming at the summer Olympics in Beijing. In particular, the IM (individual medley). It was nothing compared to this tear: this tear did the backstroke from heaven, releasing its grip from its Creator, dropping into the canal that would lead to a breast stroke to the exit of a tear duct in a dying eye, where it did the freestyle down the cheek of a father, brother, husband of love. Then it finished with the fly, the butterfly stroke, where it went through a metamorphosis of meaning to each gathered in that room. God’s love poured out in an event that Olympic Games and television just cannot capture. I’m glad I was there. I hope I have taken you there. God has an event that you are invited to today. Pay close attention to the IM’s that God participates in every day to build us up into the body of Christ. We are meant for relationship with God and other. What a blessing of love.
Dr. Fitz

How not to turn over in a narrow sea kayak...

This afternoon & evening I went on a short kayak trip with my youngest daughter. She paddled the sit-on-top the first half of the trip. Then I asked her if she would like to paddle my 17 ft. narrow sea kayak. I warned her that it was easy to turn over, but that it also is easier to paddle and much faster than the wide plastic sit-on-top one. Here's how you keep from turning over, "Don't lean too far to the right or left!"
The same is true for walking steady with Christ. When we begin to lean too far to the extreme edges of our faith, or culture, then we begin to be defined by issues rather than relationships. Focusing on our call to be a relational blessing to God and neighbor keeps us upright as we journey through the seas (chaos) of life. I have learned how to balance my kayak better through practice -- paddling it for 3 to 5 hours at a time on many outings. I find that steady consistent strokes make the journey more enjoyable. I have also learned to take my nifty little 12 ounce parachute nylon hammock that I can quickly string up between two trees and take a brief rest at the midpoint of a long day of paddling. So too must I do in long days of service to church and community. I can just get tired out listening, learning and trying to link in ways that lift others into God's love, grace and mercy. I need a bit of a rest every once in a while. Steady consistent witnessing make the journey more enjoyable.
How's your journey going? Turned over lately and felt all washed up? Get back in the boat and practice with patience. Remember to take rest breaks and talk to God, pray to God, read God's word, before heading back into the deep water!
Happy kayaking!

Praising God...

Wow! I'm in a state of bliss as my wife got word today that a course she took about 30 years ago (now I'm giving her age away) counted toward her last requirement for lateral entry into the teaching position at New Bern High School. That save us from losing her benefits (& our health insurance) for two months, not to mention that she would have gone to substitute pay for two months and had to pay $825 to take a six week online course.
God is faithful all the time. God would have been faithful no matter how this turned out and I praise God for the peace that comes from walking with Him through life. His beauty is what I seek to behold in all the ordinary experience of daily living. I surely do not deserve the blessings that I have received, the great love of God, of my wife, my children and an awesome church and church staff. Are you so blessed?
Steve

Peace

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid." (John 14:27 NRSV)
I have had an incredible peace since late last week when I discovered the news about my wife, Debbie's, job. She did go find out that the worst scenario is that she must take one more course that is six weeks and doesn't end until mid September. She would be changed to substitute status, pay dropped substantially, and would lose benefits for that period of time. Our whole family is covered under her health insurance.
She has a number of advocates working for her to keep this from happening, but no matter what happens, God will carry us through this (even with one child moving and just starting college and the other returning for a second year, but in apartment living). God is good! God is great! Let us thank God for God's grace! Ultimate matters are not at risk here, only temporary setbacks and challenges.
How has God delivered you from times such as these?
Dr. Fitz