Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Ebb and Flow

Like the ebb and flow of the tides, so is life--full both of endings and beginnings. Alyce's brother Warren just died, full of years and in his last months and days through considerable suffering. Yet as if timed by providence, his latest fresh-born grandchild was brought by his daughter and son-in-law to his side just a few hours before his passing. His Memorial Service will be Friday in Belin, CT, near Covenant Vullage in Cromwell, where he was living in retirement with his wife Pat. The grandchild's whole life lies ahead.

"This is a time to remember." Life's tide does go out but it also comes in. "Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom," the ancient psalmist prayed. Your life and mine are ebbing. Yet as Natallie Sleeth reminds us, "in our end is our beginning, in our time eternity ... in our death a resurrection, at the last a victory; unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see."

"Fear not, little flock. It is the Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." In life it is often Good Friday, as Tony Campolo has reminded us. But Easter is coming. There is no reason either to fear life's ebb or to be anxious about its flow. For in all the oceans of time, God orders them both for his glory and our good.