"Billy" Stories
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 1, 2, 3; Micah 7:1-7; Acts 26:1-23; Luke 8:26-39
Have you ever had one of those weeks when it seems the harder you try, the further behind you become? Or worse, you realize you have more to do than you first thought? That things just keep cropping up? This past week my best bet was Friday, my day off. I could relax and get caught up both at the same time. However, out of nowhere, a call came and a funeral needed to be arranged, for Friday, and I was the only one available.
The woman who died was the daughter of an old friend of the church, Billy Hodges. Billy was a member in the early years and is remembered fondly as a devoted attendee. His daughter as well as her children had grown up attending Saint Stephen’s. When her son Steven called to ask if we could help his family with the service, I could hear his heartbreak. For a few minutes, I selfishly considered explaining it was my day off. I even asked if we could reschedule it, but something felt terribly wrong with that, and so I said I would do the service.
Later that afternoon as I was reading The Rev. Doug Carpenter’s History of Saint Stephen’s, I felt a nudge from God. It was as if God said, “there’s a reason why Steven called you, no one should ever be buried by someone who knows nothing about you.” I also realized Doug’s stories about her family and God’s guidance would provide me with what I needed.
The next day, as I was telling “Billy” stories to the family and friends that had gathered, I saw smiles begin to emerge on tear-stained faces. It felt as though a family which had been broken by pain and grief, disagreements, and loss, was, even if just briefly, lifted by a sense of their history, and the good that their family represents.
In the 26th chapter of Acts, Paul seems to be having a week that was certainly more stressful than mine. He’s standing before King Agrippa, testifying to who he was in his previous life and who he is now, a follower of the one who rose from the dead, the one to whom he attributes the light that came into his life and opened his eyes. Paul, a self-proclaimed Pharisee, had been on his way to Damascus. He had Christians to persecute. However, God had other plans. Paul was, as the song says, “blinded by the light.”
My experience was nothing compared to Paul’s; however, my eyes were opened to how selfish I had been and how much I need to look to the Holy Spirit for guidance. That afternoon as I blessed Paula’s remains to be lowered into the ground, I was grateful and deeply honored that I was there. I was also keenly aware that there will be lots of uninterrupted Fridays to come, and I was glad this wasn’t one of them. Am I selfish sometimes? Yes. Grateful all the time? I wish I could say I am. Seeking to be open to God? With God’s help, yes.
Faithfully,
Sally+
Questions for Reflection: How often do we pass up opportunities to be enlightened by God’s vision, God’s grace? How often do we listen and wait for the Holy Spirit to guide us?