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Location: Blogs Brad's BlogMid-Week Missive |
 | | Posted by: Brad Miller | 8/27/2009 11:09 AM | Greetings on this beautiful day,
So many things running through my mind…I had a meeting concerning regional church business this morning and when I got back to the office, lots of things hit me: a man who came to the church door just a little while ago asking if he could pray in the sanctuary…a video e-mail from a long time friend who reminded me that even though years and miles have kept us from being as close as we would like, with a little work, we can still be close…an update from a friend concerning her brothers illness…news of the death of Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts. I have been surprised at exactly how much each has affected me today.
The young man came and asked if he could pray in the sanctuary, so I showed him in and asked him to come by my office before he left, just so I’d know that he was gone. It is not an everyday occurrence, but it happens fairly regularly, so I had no problem letting him in. When he came to office, he thanked me and then sort of stammered his words for a minute. He asked if he could be put on the prayer list, and I replied that he certainly could. I asked if there was anything I could do, and he sighed, sat down on the couch and told me some of his story. Today was the first anniversary of his wife’s death. She died in an accident and left her husband and 4 year old daughter behind. She had been the one who carried their insurance and he knew that it would be a struggle to provide all that his daughter needed on his one income. He sold their house and moved into a basement apartment of his parents house in the far northern suburbs of Atlanta. The money from the house sale helps with expenses and the COBRA insurance. His job seems secure, but he acknowledged that in his line of work, one never knew. He said things were going pretty good, but his job required Sunday work and while his daughter went to church with his parents, he hadn’t been able to go for awhile. And today, when he realized just what day it was, he decided that praying in his car, or in his office just wasn’t enough. He needed to be in a church.
The video came to me out of the blue and my friend’s intention hit the mark. It was simply him showing off his adopted home town of Denver where he moved 25 years ago. He sent it to some folks that were important to him but were far away. He sent it to us to let us know that he was doing well, and that he loved us and still thought of us as important in his life. After I viewed the video, I leaned back in my chair and let my mind wander back to college and immediately after when we had been very close. I realized that it had been 35 years since we first met, and probably 15 since we were last together. We had shared an apartment with two other guys, we had worked for awhile at the same place, we had truly been like brothers at one time. And still, those bonds are real.
My friend Wendy Miles told me about her brother Randy Rawson, who has been on our prayer list for a couple of weeks now. They suspect a very rare cancer and in the next couple of days will make a decision about exactly how to proceed. There will most likely be radiation and surgery followed by more radiation. When I told Wendy to tell Randy that we at BCC were praying for him, she said, “Oh and that means so much. I shared with him that several churches had him on their prayer list and his response was, “I know. I feel as I am floating on the prayers of so many people.” When someone asks if prayer helps, I will think of Randy’s response and answer emphatically, “Yes!”
My web-browser was the first to inform me of Sen. Kennedy’s passing. “The Lion of the Senate” had served as a Massachusetts Senator for 47 years. Some people loved his politics; some people hated his politics. Some people criticized him for his lapses in personal and moral judgment, but no one ever doubted his effectiveness as a Senator representing his people, his passion for helping those least able to help themselves, or his love of country. He was my Senator for several years when I lived in Boston. I have never witnessed a political representative who so accurately assessed the needs of his constituents and worked hard to meet those needs. That sometimes could draw sharp criticism from his opponents, but I was always amazed at the reverence in which he was held by the voters Election after election, he was sent to work with a landslide of support. Oh, part of it was that he was a Kennedy, as close as we come to royalty in this country. But if he was first elected on his name, he stayed in office because of his hard work. He had seen more tragedy than we can imagine. He made some monumental mistakes in his personal life. Yet the older he got, the more he seemed to grow into his unwanted role of patriarch of the Kennedy clan. About a year ago, when it was announced that Sen. Kennedy had a brain tumor, I was talking with someone who despised Teddy’s politics (and didn’t care much for him personally) but who nonetheless offered, “I’ll give him one thing: the speech he made at the 1980 Democratic convention was possibly the finest speech ever delivered. I believed every word he said, and it moved me tremendously. It was the greatest statement of American ideals I have ever heard.” I had to agree. His greatest, most bipartisan work was still ahead of him at that point and his desire to make American better was part of all of that work.
So, what do all these have to do with each other? I think it is that there are things that connect us of which we are not entirely aware. Our sense of where we go to be comforted; the idea that it helps when we offer up prayers for each other; the very real notion that across the miles and years, we are all still part of each other; the unmistakable truth that when we put our differences aside and work together, amazing things can happen. And I truly believe that God is in the middle of all of that.
Today, all of these things touched me. And I thank God for and offer prayers for Ben and his daughter, for Randy and his family, for Greg, so far away but today a lot closer, for the family of Teddy Kennedy, as they grieve his loss and celebrate his life.
There is one other thing that touched me today. Something to celebrate together as a community of faith. Rev. Jennifer has asked me to let you know that she and Eric and Sarah are expecting another addition to their family! She jokingly said that she didn’t think she could go much longer without wearing maternity clothes, so they needed to let people know soon! I am pleased and honored to send along this wonderful news to all of you. Join me in extending them our best wishes and prayers….you know, Bradley’s a nice name for a boy...
It has been an eventful day. Thank you for letting me share it with you.
For an updated prayer list and an updated list of coming events, please go to www.brookhavenchristian.org
For your prayer list:
Ben and his daughter, dealing with the anniversary of their wife and mother’s death.
Randy Rawson, his doctors, surgeons, and his family as they deal with is illness.
The Heinz Family, as they await the arrival of new baby.
Ken Hagen, a co-worker of Beth Sheffer. Ken was shot in his yard this week and is in critical, but stable condition at Grady Hospital.\
Tommy Wilson, as he continues to recover from shingles.
Mercy Wangeli, sister of Allan Wamathai, who stopped by to ask for prayers for his sister’s battle with depression.
Upcoming Events
This Sunday immediately following worship there will be a meeting for all those interested in helping with Children’s Church in the coming year. Contact Debbie Kinney for more details.
Saturday October 3rd will be the next “Dinners for Eight”. Sign up sheets will be available this Sunday or you can call the church at 404-237-3030.
The pumpkins arrive on Sunday October 11! Make your plans to bring your work clothes to church and help us unload the bounty!
Our next Inquirers Class for those interested in learning more about the church, our history, and just who we are, will be Sunday October 4 and Sunday October 11 during the Sunday School hour in Rev. Brad’s office. This is for anyone – visitors, new members, longtime members – who wishes to know more about the church and how they can be involved.
October 31 will be our next “More Hands for God Day” at the City of Refuge. Watch for information.
Attention to all married and engaged couples: before the rush of Thanksgiving and Advent and Christmas, make plans take some time to concentrate on your most important relationship: your marriage! On Saturday November 14, Brad and Carol Miller will facilitate a “Marriage Enrichment Mini-Retreat” at BCC. Child care and lunch will be provided. The cost of the retreat is $20. Watch for more details! It is a wonderful chance to step back and celebrate your partner and your marriage. You can sign up by calling the church at 404-237-3030 or emailing ruth@brookhavenchristian.org. Marriage Enrichment is not marriage counseling. It is aimed at making good marriages even better and does not require any self-disclosure of any kind. It doesn’t matter if you are about to be married or you’ve been married 50 years…this will be a helpful and enjoyable event.
As we wind up our summer schedule, this coming Sunday we will gather in the fellowship hall for “Praise on Peachtree”. The theme is “Peter’s Journey of Faith.” I hope to see you there! Have a great rest of the week.
Be peaceful,
Brad | | | Permalink | Trackback |
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