"Mellanie Has Been Here"

 "The desert and the dry land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom like the crocus . . .

The will see the Lord's glory, the splendor of our God." Isaiah 35:1, 2c

Most days, I have only to walk in the house and it becomes apparent that our good friend, Mellanie Portz, has been by. Usually the tell-tale sign is a flower from her garden in a simple bottle or small vase, sometimes it is something on which to nibble and yet at other times it is a mention of something which she has read and is recommending for us to consider. Always the gift. Always the smile. Always the thoughtfulness. This particular vestige of a recent visit was sitting on our counter when I arrived home after a long day at the office.

Maybe I am deluding myself, but in my heart I believe that many folk imagine that Pastors just sit in their offices all day, read scripture, play their favorite music, consider the lilies of the valley, ponder the open tomb, then prepare for next Sunday inspired by a chorus of angels who sit on the Pastor's Study bookshelves waiting to sprinkle angel-dust on every heartfelt prayer. Fewer things could be further from the truth.

Reality be spoken, seldom do my days work out so heavenly. Most days, especially since Covid-19 invaded our global community, a day at the office includes large blocks of time spent communicating with people at home, in the hospital, in therapy units or addressing some crisis in the current morass of pressures. Folk in the pews and clergy alike are dealing with vast amounts of stress attempting to cope with the fear of contracting Covid-19, dealing with insurance companies who do not want to pay their obligations for health care, managing relationships that are under merciless pressures from every side, trying to meet obligations in their rapidly changing vocational field - praying all the while not to join the ranks of the unemployed and, just for fun, being pelted in nearly every waking moment by political ads that are neither informative, nor humane, ads which blast at opponents like volcanic hatred pushing through the countryside. There just does not seem to be much let up or relief.

Then, in this pastor's world anyway, there are the metrics, mechanics and wonders of bringing together a worship service each week in a hybrid world, part in-person, part live-stream, all of it expected to lift the spirits of the most down-trodden, give hope and healing, then send them out into the world refreshed and strengthened to serve in the faith. This does not include funerals, weddings and other occasional services which happen throughout the week . . . and with increasing frequency on the weekend (No one can risk missing work anymore, even for their dearly departed family member). 

So, walking through the door last week to find this beautiful rose waiting, a classic gift of beauty and connectedness left to grace our home from a friend who just does things like that day after day, for person after person, well, it just made me smile. I took this picture and pondered out loud, 'I wonder how many people would know if I stopped by their home, took time for their life or just tried to brighten their day the way Mellanie always seems to do for all of us?'

I was reminded of the old saying, "If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?"

Well, Mellanie, from where I am you are thoroughly convictable. Because of you, and others like you, the desert and dry land of this human journey is given reason to be glad. Because of you and others like you, the wilderness of our wanderings through the morass of challenges will find reason to blossom like the crocus. Because of you and others like you, the world will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God . . . all of this because of a rose, a gift left to offer 'splendor' in the life of another, no strings attached, no expectations of reciprocity and not even a name on a card. Just a blessing, passed from your soul to another soul, no words needed.

Thank you for stopping by, Mellanie. Thank you for the gift, all the little gifts, which significantly brighten the days of both Nancy and me, even as this one still graces our table. And, thank you for the reminder that, regardless the arrows which pierce, the nails which bind, the diseases which infect or the words which betray, there is a Friend, a Gift of God, who walks with us every step of the way and uses humble children such as you to announce Good News. You are an incredible ambassador, a teacher of the highest order and a friend in the manner of the One who gives us Life forevermore. Thank you for sharing those blessings.

Something to ponder on the journey of faith.