Monday, May 21, 2007

Gerbera daisies, one of my favorite flowers, which Kent reminded me I need to
print this image on canvas ---

Gerbera daisy edges

This one is stuck in my spirit. It was the last connection I made
with Mom before her death, and subsequently shown at her funeral.

I was disappointed this year I couldn't find a variety like this
one. Just as well, no need to go back and repeat an inspiration
from the past. So on Saturday I created a new one from the three
Gerbera daisies waiting to be planted in their usual corner of the
cottage flower bed by the deck.

And today I travel to Harrisonburg, Virginia to celebrate with
friends the life of Lee Eshleman, a life cut way too short by the
disease of bipolar disorder.

At CMCL's early service yesterday, we shared as a sending prayer
for our graduating seniors the following reading from the blue
book Hymnal, A Worship Book:

No. 764

Go in love,
for love alone endures.

Go in peace,
for it is the gift of God.

Go in safety,
for we cannot go where God is not.

As I read along it dawned on me that this could be my sending
message for Lee.

And then this morning's Sip of Scripture came from Romans 8:38-39 ---

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor
demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will
be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ
Jesus our Lord.

Through it all Lee could not be separated from the love of God. If
only he could have felt that in his moment of despair on Thursday.

jim