In my younger days, May was the busiest month of all. There were cards to buy, flowers to order, details to arrange, and projects to organize. My calendar filled with recitals, concerts, performances, parades, must attend meetings, weddings, and sometimes boxes to pack. The first hint of all the crazy May would turn out to be dropped before a big wedding on Kentucky Derby Saturday. We were almost out the door for the church, when the phone rang. I picked up expecting a wedding problem. It was news of my first appointment out of seminary. I asked for a callback and was given one. We talked the next day. A few weeks later, I graduated.

The days after Easter are like that.

Women get up at dawn and walk to Jesus’ tomb, then go straight to Jerusalem with the news that Christ is risen. Peter and John run out his tomb and see that is empty. Two disciples walk Jerusalem to Emmaus with the risen Christ, and they finally see him as he breaks the bread, they travel back to find the disciples in Jerusalem. One week later, the risen Christ appears to Thomas. Some days later, the disciples travel to Galilee where Jesus cooks them breakfast. Forty days after Easter Jesus ascends to his glory near Bethany. Ten days later, the church gathers to pray in Jerusalem, and the Spirit of God sends them into all the world.

When God works, we work.

When God moves, we move.

Where God goes, we go.

All in God’s good time at God’s good speed.

Jesus travels village to village with good news, then tells the folks he heals to be quiet about him. A whole village gathers around him, then Jesus spends time alone in prayer. Jesus does this or that immediately, then rests entombed over a Sabbath before God raises him from the dead.

In our race to meet or exceed the day’s demands, we sometimes fail to see the joy on a child’s face, the tear in a neighbor’s eye, or the risk of speeding to chase the driver out of our way. When all that matters is what we get done to suit ourselves, we all end up a bother to each other. When each of us sees the gift, we are to each other, our time together is priceless.

Calendars fade. To do lists yellow.

The grace we give each other when life turns crazy endures forever.

 

 

Your Pastor,

   Skip Spangler