The Day After Independence Day

   Last night I just couldn’t stay up to watch the fireworks.  So, I opted for an early bed time, knee propped up, book in hand, and sleep sitting heavy on my eyes.  I couldn’t see the fireworks, but I could hear the booms and sizzles as I lay there.  With the patriotic themes, music, and thoughts of the day, my mind turned to those who heard different booms on the nights in the days when the Declaration of Independence was written, adopted, and presented to the people.  As the word spread, battles had already been occurring.  Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Boston, and Montreal – many heard the boom of cannons and rifles. 

   I wondered about how they felt when they were hearing these booms, not the joy of fireworks and their beauty.  But, the sound of gunpowder launching an arsenal of bullets towards the enemy; there must have been many frayed nerves, stomachs upset with tension, the pounding of hearts.  The sound of hooves as horses and oxen moved men and artillery from place to place, the sound of feet moving together in marches across dirt roads.  The sounds of booms.

   And I also thought of different booms that occurred there shortly after attacks, after the war was over.  These were the booms of hammers, tools rebuilding and fixing up of homes and cities.  There were sounds of a new capital being built, saws moving through new wood, and celebrations that occurred. 

   Independence Day is a good day to celebrate with the boom of fireworks, so long as we don’t forget the booms that went into it.

Cupboards

   Can’t…. Take….. It…. ANY MORE!!! That was the general thought in my mind when I would look around my bedroom and see the mess. But, then as I would leave the room for the day, I would quite happily let the frustration leave my mind and focus on other things. At the end of the day, there the mess would be again. Books piled in the corner, and that other corner. Dusty mess meets shoes meets a few stray socks. With a knee that has been hurting, laundry started to be draped over a hamper. Little storage available only increased the frustration. There isn’t anywhere to put it – how am I supposed to put it away.

   So, I finally placed an order for furniture with Ikea! It came, and being Ikea – it has to be put together. A couple shelves and a night stand have been put together. I’m so excited to see the parts come together. I will admit, as I’m not quite comfortable with tools, that when I first opened the box and started looking at the parts and the directions, I was overwhelmed. What was I thinking? This was going to be hard!
   But, one step at a time, and thirteen steps later – I have a nightstand, with a door that opens and closes, Correctly! It is so great seeing all of the parts come together and an actual piece of usable furniture come out of the pieces and parts. I can’t wait to see it all come together.

The Church

I know that “the church” as in the body of Christ is not made up of a building. But, that doesn’t mean that I don’t love visiting different church buildings that are part of the body. To see different things that they are doing, the differences, and the overwhelming similarities are all very heartwarming to me. I recently visited a small Baptist church in the town I live in. It was for an occasion which is sad and happy. Sad because a friend is being said good-bye to, happy because he is now with Jesus. But, we congregate in those churches to say good-byes, welcome new babies, witness marriages, cheer at VBS closing ceremonies, and participate in worship.

Pews, chairs, benches – some covered in cushions, made of burnished hardwood, or metal folding chairs can hold us as we squirm during a long service or hold a sleepy toddler close. Designated areas may hold tissues to wipe away our tears, places for hymnals and Bibles. It may be turned into a child’s writing area as they color during different functions.
It may take the form of a little white steepled building, or perhaps a living room, or even under a big shade tree. The church can be in any of those places. It doesn’t require walls of a certain color or stained glass. An organ and piano are not necessary. But, God’s presence in the midst is absolutely necessary.