IT'S GOOD TO BE HOME!

Rickey greeting the Moving Van in New Haven

'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' Jeremiah 29:11

July 1^st we happily became residents of New Haven, Connecticut. Once my husband accepted a new ministry assignment as the 17^th Rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church it seemed as though time had slowed down and we’d never get to our desired destination from Florida to the northeast “New England”. So many blessings, prophetic encouragements and prayers were sandwiched together; it was no doubt that we were headed in an amazing direction. We’d known the hard knocks-was well acquainted with ministry hurdles, understood the signals, experienced the many past life lessons, endured much and was once again extremely thankful for the divine progression.  Oh to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! As I’ve heard it said and do enjoy repeating it also: “For real, for real!” moving to Connecticut was another Jeremiah 29:11 confirmation!

'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' Jeremiah 29:11

We acknowledged that we were not only transitioning regionally, but mentally and spiritually to a new place in our lives, a place we’d never frequented.  But never the less it was HOME! And, yes it’s refreshing!

Joy erupted as we eagerly embraced the realization that it was time to head north “back home”.   Back home to the changing seasons of the northeast and a familiar urbane social and cultural terrain. Oh friends it was time! I am sure that my soul acknowledged that. “Yes, it is time to experience God anew.”

And of course we arrived in New England before our belongings and daily counted down the days when our truck load of furnishings would arrive. The house had an empty hollow “house echoing sound” and that was very distracting. After 2 weeks it struck me how we had adapted to having fewer material possessions. It was a new rhythm. As is said, “We didn’t miss a beat!” We gleefully sat at the kitchen bar to eat our meals, smiling and had fun jockeying for the thrift store treasure of the chair with matching ottoman. If I wanted to languish outdoors I’d sit on the comfy furnishings on the backyard deck. And in that time our focus shifted from our stuff to learning about our “new” New England surroundings, becoming acquainted with members of the church, learning about the active ministry events, connecting with neighbors and making friends. And when the moving van finally did arrive I realized that we could make it with fewer treasures unpacked.  Exhaling, I acknowledged that there was no need to open each and every box and/or hang our entire art collection. Our focus and ministry direction has shifted beautifully! Once again God has done exceedingly more than we could imagine. Hearts are receptive and the anointed works are blossoming. The past month’s activities have reflected unspeakable joy which is captured in the photos below. There is a joy that is assured that God has planted us here because..." our desires are in agreement with His thoughts for us." 1 John 5:15.

Joy is spilling over because it's good to be home…..

I’ve begun to weekly volunteer at St. Luke’s Clothes Closet. I look forward to being there. Truly the selecting, folding, sorting and arranging puts a smile on my face and lifts my spirit when the community comes for free clothing and household items. I eagerly greet and interact with them and sometimes help them with hunting for particular items. Often a conversation ensues and I realize they are in need of much more than the tangible. A word from the Lord often brings an assurance and a relief that they’ve come to the right place. As they search for items God is extending a helping hand through our volunteer services. On one particular day, I noticed a little girl “helping” her Mommy shop and I discovered a pink jacket asked her Mommy if she could have it and the child’s expression was absolutely precious! Permission was granted for me to share and photograph this blessed moment. I trust you are also smiling! Joy is contagious!

  

The doors of the church are open! St. Luke's Services is indeed a beacon of hope in our community-lifting, feeding, edifying loving and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I’d like to think that ministry is an action word!

Our beloved and devoted parishioner Edward F. Mapp, Business Manager of St. Luke's Steel Band has music in his heart! St. Luke’s Steel Band ministers throughout New England and the surrounding states! These stellar musicians bring tremendous  joy wherever they travel and perform.

Morning Glory! Breakfast partners: the Community Soup Kitchen and St. Luke's Episcopal Church serving our guests-the children of God of course! It’s a meal that is certainly appreciated!

Partnering with the community for creative fun and cultural ministry opportunities is another demonstration of God at work. He gives us the energy, creativity and our heart’s desire and before long paths are crossed and the fruit of partnerships beautifully blossom (i.e. St. Luke’s parishioners, Shop & Save, New Haven Dept. Of Recreation, Yale Health Systems, Anthony Thompson, The Diaper Bank, Fish, New Haven Free Public Library Stetson Branch, Hon. Jacqueline James, Alderwoman Ward 3, Yale University’s Dwight Hall tutors) with far reaching effects. I realize this is just the start of good things to come! St. Luke’s ministry bounty and community outreach is truly growing! And clearly God is touching hearts and directing our path!

I am sure you agree that it’s a wonderful season where faith is abounding, joy has erupted and we can’t help but, smile! Thank you Lord for all you are doing!

Pastor Richard Meadows and Linda Mose Meadows, Inspirational Author

Shared in Love, Linda Mose Meadows; Blogger, Motivational Speaker and Inspirational Author of: Destined To Receive: Reflections and Devotionals Celebrating The Love of God (Createspace, 2013) and Blessedness of Believing  A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God's Promises (Tate Publishing, 2007) 

 http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

 http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/

 http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/

ROOTED IN LOVE

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Ephesians 3:17-19 (NLT)

I just can’t shake it, it’s been several days since I witnessed what I believe was blatant self-centeredness, no regard for others. It made my heart ache as I witnessed this person’s oblivion to the folks that he was connected to.

No, I am not a clinician or counselor, but like you if we observe a situation long enough there are some astute conclusions that we do quickly arrive at. Discerning spirits is what I ‘d like to think we have. My elders might call it “plain nosey”, I label it “concern”.

Now this is no indictment against those that take care of self , look out for their own needs, but disregarding others feelings, emotions and needs for the sake of self (I argue)is a horse of another color. Alright I’ll get to it.

After shopping for a few grocery items, I agreed to meet my friend in the photo section of Walmart. I think you will agree that on any given Saturday, Walmart is jumping, there’s lots of momentum. That wasn’t part of my morning plan, but I obliged my friend and agreed to go. And who can’t pass up a great bargain on fruit and veggies! I eventually found my way to the Photo Department and there was my friend studiously positioned at the monitor and diligently, very meticulously selecting her many photos. She wanted to clear out her SD card and create room on her camera disc for future photos. “Good idea”, I thought. I need to get busy doing the same. As I leaned in to examine her selections, I could not help but to stop look at my surroundings in astonishment. Folks were intently shopping. A woman in a clown outfit was riding by on a bicycle collecting donations for the needy. Folks were enjoying their shopping experience.

Activities were all a buzz. People were moving about, children were skipping and the cash registers were filling.

Then I noticed a young girl in the shopping cart (much too tall for that seat), slumped but quietly sitting. What I believe were her two brothers, stood nearby and were more animated, chatting and enjoying one another’s company. They did not disturb anything, but curiously moved about. They remained a safe distance-not too far from their mother who scanned an old family photo. I stretched my neck to see what appeared to be a rather worn photo from “back in the day” as we might stay. Not sure if the discolored photo previously hung on the wall or possibly was rediscovered in an aged photo album? It was obvious that it was an important family treasure. It appeared that the grandmother was also present for this outing. Her smile indicated that the she appreciated the technology of reproducing the photo and the young woman’s skill at operating the scanner.

I later observed the grandmother's gait, her walking seemingly uneasy but determined. She dragged her stiff leg as she confidently pushed the shopping chart with the little girl ,which I bet could have sprinted down the aisles with no effort. I imagined they had a very special bond. But prior to that a young man approached them eating a hot dog draped with his favorite condiments. The young woman, said in a dissatisfied tone,

“You always manage to get lost.”

“ You’ve been gone a long time.”

In a sheepish, and not so apologetic tone, I heard the reply which expressed his disconnection and unconcern.

“I was just talking to some people I knew.”

Observing each of the youngsters, it was apparent he wasn't interested, not invested in this young woman's opinion as he ate his hot dog. He never missed a morsel, made no eye contact and never offered the children, the women a bite, nor suggested that they to come with him to purchase a snack. The children looked hungrily as he indulged.

The little girls stare succumbed to an averted glance downward, and what I surmised was a pitiful, but futile longing. What must she be thinking? The little boys tried very hard not to look directly at the young man as he lifted and the gobbled down the last bite of the hot dog. I began to feel bad, I was internalizing their disappointment, their pain and wondered why? Wondered what must their home dynamics be like.

So many things raced through my mind about a father’s love. A father’s love that crosses over a gene pool, reaches back-instilled from generations long gone and calls children that are not from his own loins “mine.” These blessed men that demonstrate a love that hungrily wants to make others feel good, feel validated, included and cared for are treasured! They have deposited love and have made a remarkable impact for healthier living! I earnestly wanted to yell , “What are you thinking?” And then I realized, he wasn’t! He didn’t have a clue or the unthinkable was that he didn’t care.For him it was just another occasion to wander off and think about self! He must not have known a loving father figure, a man with a forthright character that modeled unselfishness. Maybe he did? Who cared for him and others? Unfortunately on this occasion, he flunked the Are You Rooted In Love test miserably! It took a small gesture to demonstrate love! He could have done something differently or possibly said, “Later we’ll get a treat”, if his finances were low. It's not too late he can have a change of heart and do a new thing on the next go round!

Oh my, I feel a fresh wind blowing! Friends the very good news is, it is not too late for the multitude of others and this young man to embrace a new way! A new way of operating in the world and more importantly allow a new form of love and reverence to dwell, reside in his home, in his heart!

Where are the young versions of Daddy Wahab, Uncle Leonard, Father Ned, Big Daddy, Papa Bailey, Gramps, Uncle William, Brother Sam, Cousin Melvin, Mr. Jim? All these wonderful men that defy the stereotypes, and knew or learned how to love genuinely! We yearn for more of your love! Show us how!! Come forth elders and hurry young men. Lord knows we need you to lead by example. The families need you, the children miss you! We are praying for all the hungry, overlooked, love starved little children. We all need you to nurture and care for us! Help us to build each other up and cultivate relationships that are rooted in love! We are praying anew! God is waiting to guide you!

~Prayer ~

Lord help us to be mindful of not only ourselves, but others. Help us to yearn for it! To get it: humbleness, faithfulness and to harbor love. To grab hold of consideration and gain a new level of comfort as we endeavor to model it-model love and spread it on thick like we do when we indulge ourselves.

Help us Lord to see the needs of others, to value them and believe that we too will have our needs met and love reciprocated.

Help us Jesus to remember that we are yours and you are ours! You’ll always support us in doing your will.

We bind anything that is contrary to your design for our lives. And to loose hearts of thanksgiving because we are rooted in your divine love! We'll forever continue to give you the honor, praise and glory! Forever and ever.

In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen!

Sharing With Great Joy,

Linda Mose Meadows, Urban Views Weekly and Empower Magazine Columnist and Inspirational Author of: The Blessedness of Believing A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises and Co-publisher of Eyes of Faith Magazine

http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/

http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/