twilight zone
Worship was powerful Sunday morning. My worship of God had more fervor than it has in many moons. I heard the Word and sang songs of praise to my Savior and King. Tears flowed freely and frequently down my cheeks. Let me rephrase something- worship was emotional and God is powerful.
I'm back in my hometown of Beloit, WI to be with family and friends in preparation for a dear friend's funeral. The weekend has been like an episode of the Twilight Zone. My trip back to the Dairyland was a smooth and enjoyable ride on a sunny Saturday. Despite traveling through Illinois the trip wasn't too bad. I arrived home in the late afternoon with a sunburned left arm thanks to my current lack of air-conditioning in my car. As I rolled into the driveway I saw all three of my nieces running toward me screaming with delight, "Uncle Gregg is here!" Nothing really warms my heart and makes me feel more at home than experiencing the love of those girls.
The hugs were a bit more firm and a great deal more intentional as I made my round of greetings with my parents and siblings. It wasn't long before tears were shed in Cheryl Fry's memory. Only about a half and hour passed before my grandparents arrived with my Aunt Sue and my Uncle Al. Since we were all home we had the distinct opportunity to celebrate Ruth and LaVerne Doll's 62nd Wedding Anniversary. Wow. For all of the bickering and bantering they do they will be sure to let you know that they love each other too. My grandparents have been together 62 years. I want that in my life.
Sunday morning rolled around and I attended church with my mom. We went to Central Christian Church where my family has always gone to church. The sermon topic was forgiveness. Pastor Dave delivered the message with distinct passion... my heart willfully received the Word of God. After the sermon concluded we shared in communion as we shared in the forgiveness we have received. We also observed Memorial Day in the remembrance of the blessing of a God who robed himself in flesh to make the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. In additional observance of Memorial Day we continued to praise God through song. "It Is Well With My Soul." The loss of the woman doesn't feel well with my soul right now, but knowing that she is dancing... no, line dancing in heaven brings peace to my heart for this moment. "Indescribable." A great song to close the worship gathering with. God is abundantly and exceedingly more than all I could ever imagine. He is not only with us in the deep valley of sorrow, but he has walked the path ahead of us as well. Pastor Dave stopped and prayed with us. Worship was emotional. God is powerful.
The rest of my day was spent with family. Family is a sure medicine for my ailments. God's blessings are so evident when I look around me at the friends and family he has provided me.
Today (Monday) I spent the day with my mom and dad. It was a slow day... in a good way. We just took the day as it came to us. We did a little shopping- more like a little browsing and then had dinner. Being a Memorial Day that is ever so abundantly significant this year, the doors have been flung open to topics that we would not usually talk about. As we went to place flowers on my Grandma Sweger's grave we started talking about final arrangements. This seems so morbid as I write about it now, but it felt okay at the time. To be honest, I really hated having the conversation. I can't bear the thought of my parents... I just can't think of it. I'm a visual thinker and I can't go back there right now. Somehow it was okay to discuss at the time. I don't want to talk about it for a very long time.
Cheryl's visitation is Wednesday and the funeral is on Thursday. Those will be tough days. And I will worship God in the midst of pain just as I do as I revel in happiness. Worship is emotional. God is everything.
I'm back in my hometown of Beloit, WI to be with family and friends in preparation for a dear friend's funeral. The weekend has been like an episode of the Twilight Zone. My trip back to the Dairyland was a smooth and enjoyable ride on a sunny Saturday. Despite traveling through Illinois the trip wasn't too bad. I arrived home in the late afternoon with a sunburned left arm thanks to my current lack of air-conditioning in my car. As I rolled into the driveway I saw all three of my nieces running toward me screaming with delight, "Uncle Gregg is here!" Nothing really warms my heart and makes me feel more at home than experiencing the love of those girls.
The hugs were a bit more firm and a great deal more intentional as I made my round of greetings with my parents and siblings. It wasn't long before tears were shed in Cheryl Fry's memory. Only about a half and hour passed before my grandparents arrived with my Aunt Sue and my Uncle Al. Since we were all home we had the distinct opportunity to celebrate Ruth and LaVerne Doll's 62nd Wedding Anniversary. Wow. For all of the bickering and bantering they do they will be sure to let you know that they love each other too. My grandparents have been together 62 years. I want that in my life.
Sunday morning rolled around and I attended church with my mom. We went to Central Christian Church where my family has always gone to church. The sermon topic was forgiveness. Pastor Dave delivered the message with distinct passion... my heart willfully received the Word of God. After the sermon concluded we shared in communion as we shared in the forgiveness we have received. We also observed Memorial Day in the remembrance of the blessing of a God who robed himself in flesh to make the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. In additional observance of Memorial Day we continued to praise God through song. "It Is Well With My Soul." The loss of the woman doesn't feel well with my soul right now, but knowing that she is dancing... no, line dancing in heaven brings peace to my heart for this moment. "Indescribable." A great song to close the worship gathering with. God is abundantly and exceedingly more than all I could ever imagine. He is not only with us in the deep valley of sorrow, but he has walked the path ahead of us as well. Pastor Dave stopped and prayed with us. Worship was emotional. God is powerful.
The rest of my day was spent with family. Family is a sure medicine for my ailments. God's blessings are so evident when I look around me at the friends and family he has provided me.
Today (Monday) I spent the day with my mom and dad. It was a slow day... in a good way. We just took the day as it came to us. We did a little shopping- more like a little browsing and then had dinner. Being a Memorial Day that is ever so abundantly significant this year, the doors have been flung open to topics that we would not usually talk about. As we went to place flowers on my Grandma Sweger's grave we started talking about final arrangements. This seems so morbid as I write about it now, but it felt okay at the time. To be honest, I really hated having the conversation. I can't bear the thought of my parents... I just can't think of it. I'm a visual thinker and I can't go back there right now. Somehow it was okay to discuss at the time. I don't want to talk about it for a very long time.
Cheryl's visitation is Wednesday and the funeral is on Thursday. Those will be tough days. And I will worship God in the midst of pain just as I do as I revel in happiness. Worship is emotional. God is everything.
posted by Gregg @ 10:13 PM
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