How do we measure a year? One birthday? Three boxes of disposable masks? Fifty-two Mondays? Maybe we could try to take one day at a time. And during that day find 2 things to be grateful for. And at the end of that day, pray with thanks for another day of life. Maybe.

When is the last time you have been pleasantly surprised? For me, it was recent. You see, when we had our roof replaced and the crew finished cleaning up, I found some roofing material had landed on a couple of my favorite blooming plants. Not pleasant. But in the last couple of weeks, I see that they are coming back! Nature perseveres. What can I learn from that?

Recent preparation to teach a class had me looking at the Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke, specifically). Each one recounts Jesus' time on earth. But they are so different. Matthew begins with a genealogy, tells a short version of Jesus' birth and is the only one to tell of the wisemen's visit a few years later. Mark has no birth story at all, is the shortest, and ends on Easter day with witnesses running away in fear. Luke gives us the familiar Christmas story, begins and

If cleanliness is next to godliness, I am not very godly. I am not a tidy person. I do not like or take satisfaction in housework. Is Mary Poppins available? Some have spent recent times reorganizing their home or closets. I am reading. Some do spring cleaning. I am taking allergy meds. But folks are coming to visit!! There will be a flurry of activity, and when they leave, I won't remember where anything is. Wouldn't 20 minutes a day make more sense?

St. James will soon offer indoor worship in addition to our weekly parking lot worship. I am excited. A sign of hope! I am nervous, hoping all goes well. I am wondering, how will we respond to worship that does not include singing, passing the peace, or fellowship and requires masks, fewer people and social distancing? Different, sure, but we will be together. Those comfortable with coming inside will be together, along with those who join us live stream. It will be nic

At a recent family gathering, my one-year-old granddaughter pulled herself up and was poised to take a step. Her brother saw her and very gently pushed her so she sat back down. Life is like that. Many times a day is like that. But we get back up. And yes, she will walk soon … and you will get up again after whatever knocked you over.

Before the cold snap, I was beside my backyard pond, enjoying the warm sun and blooming flowers. A frog croaked. Looking among the water Irises, I saw two frogs together. All God's creatures gotta sing!

During the 7-week Easter season, one week is known as Good Shepherd Sunday, with readings from Psalm 23 and John 10. In John, we are reminded that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who lays down his life for the sheep. And we think of Him willingly going to the cross. Interesting though, during his 3 years of ministry, a shepherd by trade would track down the sheep at night and corral them into an enclosure. But there was no gate and no latch. The shepherd would lie down in th