Image: Purple Flower, 2010, Vicinity of Bertram, Tx.
Those of us who, though too young to have attended in person, were born when the memory of Vaudeville was still alive, easily remember W. C. Fields. Today his comedy probably seems trite to the jaded ears of the younger generation. Though certainly not a prude in speech, his comedy, along with his arch "nemesis" Mae West, was generally filled with innuendo, sly double entendres and slapstick goofiness. You had to be there. For those of us who at least knew from a distance we are glad that we were. Laughing was easier then and generally the drinks flowed more cheaply.
One of W. C. Field's most memorable lines was, the title above is a variation, "On the whole, I would rather be living in Philadelphia." This was the epitaph that he said he wanted for his tombstone. It pretty much sums up his humor. He was a native born Philadelphian but he poked fun at that city all his life. His remark kind of sums up his attitude about being somewhere he didn't want to remain for long.
I suppose I could say that about today, the beginning of my second week of living with my new hip. I'm OK... but on the whole....!
I ought to go through the checklist I suppose:
Progress: significantly improved mobility and range of motion (X), absence of serious pain, either at rest of in motion (X), grumpy but persevering, optimistic attitude (X), doing my exercises (X).
That pretty much describes the overall assessment. However, the booklet that Orthopedics gives you to guide you through recovery makes some interesting observations. (1) - your energy level declines throughout the first month - oh joy... I already feel like a worthless slob. (2) Sleep will be very difficult for the first 3-4 weeks - yep... if it gets any worse I'll stare out the window all night long just to freak out my neighbors. (3) Constipation - don't even go there... the stuff they give you at the hospital pretty much useless (4) muscle soreness that renders it almost impossible to get comfortable (see sleep problem above) - yeah - that also.
So... it ain't bad... but.
I very much appreciate the kindnesses shown to me by folks these past 7 days. I hope to repay them in the future. Just know you are beloved and valued friends (and a few relatives here and there).
Still very hard for me to sit at by big computer and do the kind of work that would make this "down time" less objectionable. I'll get out things, like this an a couple of other things I want to post as I can muster resources.
Exodus 39&40_ Always Here, Always Near
"Comforting Presence", 2010, Vicinity of Bertram, Tx
Exodus 40:38 (NKJV) 38 For the cloud of the Lord was above the tabernacle by day, and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.
Matthew 1:22–23 (NKJV) 22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
What an excellent way for this already terse book to be brought to a close. We see in our mind's eye, as best we can imagine, the glorious new Tabernacle. We see Moses going about his multitudinous duties that first day: sanctifying the altars and the tables, making sure everything was "just so." (40:16) We have a lot of information but it is tantalizingly difficult to envision the final product. We would have had to be there. But what if we had!
The final pieces are in place, Moses and Aaron and his sons, and the people are arrayed before the tabernacle and then down comes glory. A "cloud of the Lord" by day and "fire" at night. From that day forward the people of Israel moved only when God's Presence left its place of rest and moved out. They went along behind. And when it came to the end of that journey, they erected the tabernacle and God was pleased to cause His glory to shine above it and through it.
What an amazing and comforting thing it is to contemplate God's abiding Presence with His people. God refers to Himself as a "gently flowing stream" in some translations of Isa 8:6 and I can think of no more apt analogy. Who has had so deprived a childhood that they have not sat down, or, better, stretched out under some mossy old tree, next to a perky little brook and stared up at the skies through the gaps in the leaves overhead? I suppose some "city slickers" may not relate to this but that just highlights the handicap they are under. As you settle down, the woods close in and after a moment of quiet, the rustling of movement, the soft chattering of creatures and the calling of the birds gets under full swing. And throughout it all, as your gaze moves from place to place, there is the steady "rhythm" of the little creek. It brings all the parts together. A nice harmony develops and a person knows what it means to have a "place of quiet rest."
This is what the Presence of God brings into our lives. Oh, certainly, as in the events of just this past week, we may have things jump up and claim our focus. We may have to concentrate on one specific thing and persevere in it... or see it to its conclusion... or just endure it until it gets better. Alternatively there may be the joyous bursting forth of received blessings, where the exuberance of life fills our hearts and we know "delight" in things and people both near and far. All of those risings and fallings are the tempo of our lives and each one has its own frequency. But, if we listen carefully through the crescendos or focus on the gaps, there, in the background is the murmur of a soft Presence. "I am Here... I will never leave you nor forsake you... I have you in the palm of My hand and I have set all things in their proper order so that you, like Moses, can worship me in peace."
There is nothing on earth that compares to that certainty. It is as sure as Creation itself because it is grounded in the Creator.
Yes, our God raises us up and leads us where He wants us to go... but He always goes ahead of us. He is there when we arrive just as He was there throughout the journey. As we settle down to rest or to work, His presence is the natural tune that weaves in and out of our lives and makes them harmonious. As he is in the forest... by a gently flowing stream... so He is wherever we are in our journey.
"I am Here... I will always be Here... fear not, ...."
Posted by Gadfly on July 21, 2019 at 12:04 PM in Church, Commentary, Devotional Meditation, Discipleship | Permalink | Comments (0)
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