Hello dear readers – I am basking! Basking in California sunshine. Basking in family hospitality. Basking in the indulgence of delicious food and exceptional wine. Basking in late nights and late mornings. Basking in time to read and sightsee. It is all so therapeutic.
Walter Farquharson wrote the lovely hymn, “Give to Us Laughter”. His lyrics explore the way being together with those you love – laughing and crying together – can give us, as he puts it, “wholeness and health” which are, “the sign of true wealth”. By that standard I am a very wealthy person.
My journey of this week began with an overnight with long-time dear friends. We laughed together about so many things. We laughed heartily till tears rolled. And there were a few stories and reminiscences that brought tears, authentic, heart-felt cleansing tears. My air flight brought me to the sunny shores of California where I have been held in the embrace of family. They have lavished me with conversation and fine food and drink. Really is there anything that can’t be soothed with a delicious glass of wine?
At the same time, I have been keeping in touch back home with my dear Syrian family who came to Canada in 2017 and are devastated by the news of destruction and death following the earthquake in Syria and Turkey. The Bracebridge community have rallied around them offering emotional support and arranging a means for people to make financial donations to send money to the Kurdish community in Northern Syria. There has been, I know, tears and compassion for this family so far away from their roots. Missing home while grateful to be safe in Canada – needing community.
All this has led me to think once again about the power and healing of community. The goodness we can be for one another. Jesus seemed to have gotten this idea and practiced it with ease. So many of the stories we love to hear and love to tell about Jesus are stories of him in community. He gathered people around him. Scripture often mentions him at table with his friends. He shared his deepest thoughts while walking a trail with his disciples. I take heart from these stories. I use them as a model. We are best when we are together.
This must be the time to be in California! Lara went along with Ian on a business trip and enjoyed the sun and sight seeing while he worked. She kept up our family community with lots of Instagram pictures. It makes one feel together even though there are miles in between. Community is the heart of life!