A Messy Story of Love

12/24/68 and a messy story of love

“But the greatest of these is love.”—1 Corinthians 13:13.

Earth Rise 12/24/68 Apollo 8

If you were alive on December 24, Christmas Eve, 1968, to see this picture from Apollo 8, do you remember what else you were doing? I remember much but also remember so little. My husband and I worked as interns at John Gaston City of Memphis Hospital that night, so we missed the traditional Christmas Eve services. Instead, we went to St. Mary’s Cathedral’s quiet Christmas Day services the next morning.

We were not married until the following year, but it was a special Christmas, the first holiday we could be together. I do not remember the patients I cared for that night or the presents we gave each other for Christmas. I do remember our best friend, Charles Stallings, who taught us how to make gold and red Christmas ornament balls we hung on that first tree. We still have some large balls, and we try to tell our grandchildren about them as they traditionally now have fun throwing the decorative balls on our tree each year.

However, the most memorable part of that Christmas was meeting Robert’s parents for the first time at their home for Christmas dinner that night. I don’t remember what we ate, but I do remember the red dress I wore. I was so nervous. I was damaged goods, and I feared they would not like or love me. I was divorced, and Robert was in the process of being divorced. Yet, I remember how they openly accepted me and treated me as if I were a lovable person from the start. Their unconditional love and care never ended. I still feel their presence today, even though they have been dead for some time.

The only way I can continue to return that love is to pay it forward today to my children, their children, and their spouses’ families. I remember when Elizabeth died, I would pray that if she continued to watch over her grandchildren, I would care for her husband, Bob. Unfortunately, I didn’t keep up my part of the bargain as well as she did. I could always have done more.

I know that love never dies. Bob and Elizabeth have taught me that. I still feel the unconditional love they showed me in so many ways, even today, over fifty years later. It is a presence. It is a feeling. It is not knowledge but wisdom. It is present in their only son, who knows much more about unconditional love than I do. I also see it in their three grandchildren, whom they loved dearly. I know love can change the world, one person, and one family at a time. I have seen it.
This is my messy story of the love that came down at Christmas.

Joanna https://www.joannaseibert.com/

According to Your Word

 Lord’s Prayer: Let It Be with Me According to Your Word

“In the Episcopal order of worship, the priest sometimes introduces the Lord’s Prayer with the words, ‘Now, as our Savior Christ hath taught us, we are bold to say...”’— Frederick Buechner, originally published in Whistling in the Dark from Frederick Buechner Center, Frederick Buechner Quote of the Day.

Annunciation. John Collier

Buechner reminds us of how bold we are to say perhaps the most recited Christian prayer. But, of course, it is not just a Christian prayer. A Jewish Rabbi wrote it in response to questions by other Jews about how to pray.

My experience is that whenever I visit the sick or homebound, or those in need, no matter their mental state, they say or show some awareness of the Lord’s Prayer. I have seen those who seem unresponsive twitch or move a hand, mouth a word, have a change in cardiac rhythm, or even begin praying when we close our prayers with this prayer. It is powerful and perhaps one of the last parts of our memory to leave us.

Buechner, however, emphasizes the prayer’s boldness. If we could only find a little of what we are praying for in this prayer in our lives, the world would be dramatically changed, “turning our lives and our wills over to the care of God,” as those in 12-step programs pray daily. This is similar to what Luke quotes Mary in her response to Gabriel, “let it be with me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38).

How bold that we ask for forgiveness as we are forgiven. If we plan to be forgiven, we must do the same.

How bold that we ask to be delivered from evil. I recently was prepared to do something my gut told me was wrong. Some circumstances not of my own doing kept me from it. It was an answer to prayer. God was doing for me what I could not do for myself.

When spiritual friends ask how to find God, I have suggested they pray the Lord’s Prayer boldly as part of a rule of life at designated times during the day that works best for them until we meet again. I will do the same, and we can compare notes.

Joanna  https://www.joannaseibert.com/

Mary and Joseph as Refugees

Mary and Joseph, Refugees

“As I ponder what these last few days before the Nativity might have meant for Mary and Joseph, I can’t help but see the connection between their journey to Bethlehem and flight to Egypt with the travels of so many refugee families searching for a new, safe home…I know that Mary didn’t have a baby registry set up with Amazon, and likely no baby showers were providing all her newborn’s needs, but I can imagine that she was longing for a safe, warm, and clean bed and the local midwife’s attention when her time came.  As a carpenter, Joseph likely had little experience with women’s labor and delivery work.  And then, just when the new family might have felt a bit secure, God reveals the danger they are in should they remain in Bethlehem, so off they flee to a new, safe home where they will be strangers, refugees in this new land.  In so many human ways, they were on their own in this endeavor, much like the refugees who are longing to come to a country of safety but where everything will be new to them—new languages, new customs, a whole new life.” — Judith Schellhammer, chair Resolution Review Committee, Episcopal Diocese of Michigan, December 22, 2016, Episcopal Diocese of Michigan. www.edomi.org. 

My heart goes out to the many refugees in our world who are simply seeking basic safety for their own lives and their families. I have mainly become acquainted with several DREAMERS, undocumented immigrants who came with their parents years ago and now seek education and status. Their situation is very tenuous. This country is the one they know and where they have grown up. They have no connection to their country of origin. We would deport some of the hardest working groups of people I have experienced, who already enrich and broaden our culture.

 I try to connect to them in some small way by remembering that our ancestors were refugees in this country unless we are Native American.

My heart also goes out to the many Afghan refugees coming to our country, who are starting over without knowledge of the culture or language. Turning on the stove or washing machine is as foreign as our language. Yet, we also have much to learn from them. Endurance. Bravery. Trusting.

 I also see ourselves in our search for God as refugees, often deciding to leave a place or point of view of our origin, seeking more, a larger view of God, a new life, and continually learning a new language. We step out on roads less traveled. It also cannot be a straightforward journey, but it is a sacred adventure where guides can be helpful.

Advent is always a good starting point for this journey.

Joanna  https://www.joannaseibert.com/

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