A long time ago in a galax….

Wait, wrong story.  A long time ago, part of my family was NOT Lutheran (I know, a shocker.)  But Catholic.  (I know, you’re gasping at this.)  Anyway, my great aunt Julia was baptized Catholic, and when she was born, she was given the St. Theresa medal.  Somehow, I inherited this necklace, which is really quite beautiful.  I came across this prayer which is attributed to St. Theresa.  I think the prayer is so calming and wonderful that I’d like to share it here.  (And by the way, I have nothing against Catholics, it’s just that I’ve posted so much Lutheran humor, that I thought you might find it amusing that my family was Catholic at one time.  Oh, and somehow my family became Lutheran during the time in between the birth of my great Aunt and my Grandmother, because my Grandmother was baptized Lutheran- go figure!)

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received,
and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing,
dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.

For some reason, a bunch of my friends are trying to “discern” their futures right now, from my college roommate who is trying to figure out how she is going to live and work in both the United States and South Africa to another friend who is back in the dating scene.  So for everyone who is trying to figure out what God’s plan for them is, here is a poem I found for you and for me…

“A PRAYER FOR DREAMERS”

We pray for the dreamers of this life, O God,
for those persons who imagine new possibilities,
who long for what others cannot perceive,
who spin dreams of wonder and majesty in their minds.
Defend them from ridicule and harsh criticism,
from self-doubt and lack of faith in their dreams,
and from abandonment of this call to make things new.
Grant that from their dreams
may come forth blessings for humankind
to enrich the quality of life
and the wonderment of us all.
Amen.
—–Vienna Cobb Anderson  

I don’t usually respond to e-mail forwards, but this one, which came from my friend Sarah, hit me right in the heart, because it was exactly what I needed to hear right now, so I’m going to share it with all of you!  Since it came from an e-mail I don’t know who the author is, but whoever wrote it…thanks.

When I hear those two words two very distinct and VERY different images run through my head.

1) The Apostles Creed, said in my church every Sunday (except when we say one of the other creeds.)  The Apostles Creed basically lays out what we, as Christians, believe in.  So when I hear “I believe,” I think of the things that I believe in my heart as a way for me to live my life.

Here is the version that the ELCA Lutherans use:

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended to the dead.* On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.  Amen.

*or “he descended into hell,” another translation of this text in widespread use.

2) The second thing that I think of when I hear “I believe” is Larry the Cable Guy and the rest of the Blue Collar Comedy Gang.  Except that you have to say it a little bit different.  Say it “Ah-eye, bl-eve..” and follow it up with something like what Ron White said “[I believe] if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade, and try to find someone who’s life has given them Vodka and have a party.”  (I love that one!!!)  To watch the full “I believe” here it is from youtube.

Okay, but what got me on the “I believe” tangent?  Well, I woke up extra early today (a Saturday) and was watching the Saturday Today Show on NBC, and they did a segment on the fact that in South Carolina, you can now buy a licence plate with a cross on the left side of it, and under the numbers it says “I believe.”  Now I want to share my faith with others, but I want to do it on a personal one-on -one level, not because I can show it off on my car.  (I also don’t have any decals on my car.)  I’m also thinking that I’m a hypocrite, because I had a yellow magnetic ribbon on the trunk of my car that said “Support our troops.”  Because I have family and friends in the military.  I guess I didn’t have any problem wanting to show my public support for the troops, but why don’t I want to show my faith???  To see the plate click here. 

After a horrible day yesterday.  (In addition to having one of my back teeth break in two (I think I swallowed the half that broke off! And of course it’s a holiday weekend so I can’t see a dentist until Tuesday) I cut my left thumb while cutting up a tomato for a sandwich and it still hurts!)  I decided that making it to church had to be a top priority today.  We started on our summer schedule, which is one service at 9am, which I absolutely love.  I can get up for 9am.  8 not so much, and the 10 service goes on and on and I sometimes don’t leave until noon, so this 9am is great.

Unfortunately the father of our Associate Pastor/Minister of Music had a stroke this week and Pastor Pat is with her family (prayers for the Potter family please.)  So we got a treat today.  Our regular Pastor, Pastor Julie played the organ and her husband, also a Pastor, Pastor Hans filled in as the presiding minister.  Pastor Hans delivered a great sermon on God always being there for us and that we don’t need to worry so much.  I almost started to cry a couple of times, especially when he talked about being sick and worrying about getting better.

After the service, Pastor Julie said that she had something for me.  My mom (who also goes to the same church as I do) and I went to Pastor Julie’s office and Pastor Julie gave me this absolutely beautiful handmade knitted shawl.  We have this wonderful ministry at Immanuel.  Many people get together and knit these prayer shawls for people in the church and the community who are going through tough (and also good like marriage) times.  The church has been praying for me and they wanted to give me something tangible to remind me that I am not alone.  I was so overwhelmed that I started to cry and was at a loss for words (which for me is a shocker!)  Pastor Julie said that each shawl ends up having some special meaning between the knitters and the recipient.  When I unfolded the shawl, I immediately noticed the colors, the two outer panels are gray and the middle panel is red.  The colors of my hometown in Wisconsin.  In high school we were the gray hounds and our colors were red and gray.  I said this to Pastor Julie, and she said she was getting goosebumps, and one of the knitters who had joined us, heard this as well and Sandy got goosebumps.  It’s an incredible link.  No one here in Massachusetts could know the importance of red and gray in my life… except God. 

For those of you who have doubts about the existence of God, this could not be a cosmic coincidence.  Or luck of the draw.  It is God and I am so thankful.

Here is a picture of my prayer shawl.

Here is the prayer that came with it.  By Sandy Mann May 2006

“Prayer for Healing

Guided by God’s love for us, this shawl is knit for you.

Healing, strength and peace, to bless upon your spirit true.

Wrap yourself in warmth and love, entwined in every stitch.

Prayers said to God above, please heal, mend and enrich.

Father, Son, Holy Spirit, intoned throughout the shawl.

Triune blessings knit within it, best wishes from us all.”

Well, I’ve decided never to leave my comfy sofa ever again, because when I do, bad things happen.  Like getting an allergic reaction to something (have NO idea what!!!), and having my face blow up like the Pillsbury Dough-boy (you couldn’t even see my ears, and my chin extended all the way down to my chest.)  After a stay at my local hospital (again…) I’m back at home resting, and I’m never, ever going to leave this room.  (OK, I’m lying, but really, to have an allergic reaction so bad to admit you to the hospital is really scary.)

Here’s the e-mail I sent to family and friends today:

So many thanks to all of you for your kind wishes on my birthday (which was this past Sunday.)  And as a friend of mine Loki says, I’m one year younger than older than dirt.  (Because he is older than dirt and I am a year younger than him.  You do the math.)  Unfortunately because of the pneumonia, I had to stay at my house, but my parents brought in my favorite food: Chinese from the Golden Panda.  I had Veggie Lo Mein and my absolute favorite Chicken and broccoli.  I got some cute cards, one especially from 5 year old Varnai, who wished “her Auntie Karen a happy birthday.”  It was done in red crayon.  Too sweet.  All of your phone calls and e-mails have been so much appreciated, I cannot tell you.  I also got a prayer letter from Immanuel.  That I hung on my fridge.  Again, thanks to all for your lovely sentiments!

Thanks to all of you for being worried about me.  I spent the past week in the hospital for the pneumonia that I had in January that never went away.  I had been losing my balance recently, had fevers and sweats, and had been tired for the past couple of months.  I went to my doctor on Thursday and she sent me to the ER.  The chest x-ray came back IDENTICAL to the one that was taken in January, so the doctors decided to admit me to give me anti-biotics, breathing treatments and eventually steroids.  I was released yesterday, but am really tired.  The doctors found that I have a post-pneumonia infection in my chest too.

So thanks to everyone for you great support.  I’ll write more when I have more energy.  Happy Spring!

Yesterday afternoon my cousin Kent was riding his motorcycle in Orlando, Florida, at about 10 miles an hour and he was hit by a passenger truck.  Luckily he was wearing his helmet, but his leg was broken, and it sounds like a couple of fingers were also damaged as was his shoulder.  Thank goodness there were no internal injuries, but he underwent surgery today to fix his leg.

Please say prayers for him and his speedy recovery, as well as his wife, Gail, as she continues with her chemo and radiation for breast cancer.  And also say prayers for Kent and Gail’s sons, Chris and Chad (and their pseudo adopted son Shawn- he’s kinda like my non-brother Ben) and their daughter-in-laws Jamie and Meridith and Kent and Gail’s granddaughter Katie as they all support him in his recovery from the accident and Gail through her cancer recovery.  My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time.  Just let me know if there is anything that I can do !!!

I love this prayer, which is not only for people who are ill, but also for caregivers of sick people and family members of those that are ill.  I’ve prayed it several times already! 

In Time of Illness

I found this beautiful New Years Prayer

Prayer for the New Year
Grant me the strength from day to day
To bear what burdens come my way.
Grant me throughout this bright New Year
More to endure and less to fear.
Help me live that I may be
From spite and petty malice free.

A happy New Year! Grant that I
May bring no tear to any eye.
When this New Year in time shall end
Let it be said I’ve played the friend,
Have lived and loved and labored here,
And made of it a happy year.