Monday was challenging. The weather summed up the day, it was cold, laden with mist, and shadows. We laid Reg to rest at a brief cremation service, then reflected and listened to stories of his life at the church. We had musical tributes from the family musicians on both organ and trumpet and Georgina has found words and music from the Oratorio Elijah, by Felix Mendelssohn, that fitted perfectly with how she read her Granddad and sang for him from her heart, the above was transmitted. We lost it then and sobbed. It seemed incredible and wonderful then that at the last moment the Vicar changed a reading and told the story of Simeon, the man who had waited and watched all his life for the Lord and this fitted Reg and Mary’s story so perfectly. Reg was always content to wait and would only respond when the time was right.
I had written a few weeks ago about how Mary had watched and waited and without question had obeyed. Reg had always been an observing character and as a photographer had spent his life waiting for the right moment. He served in the background at church always faithfully attending when he was able. To wait patiently and serve quietly, and now to ultimately be resting in the arms of the Lord seem appropriate and a blessing.
“…Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss[a] your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
Luke 2:25-32
I marvel also at how a devotional I am also following Lectio 365 highlighted the Psalm 121:7-8 today…
“…The Lord keeps you from all harm
and watches over your life.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever…”
It has been a sad week for our family as we reflect on all who we miss both through death and because Covid quarantine keeps our loved ones in other countries, distance at this time marks and makes this season of watching and waiting even more potent. These lines from the Psalm echo how gracious it is that Jesus walks with us, and this is reinforced further in Psalm 23 especially in line 4 that He is with us. A psalm read and heard at so many funerals and also at Reg’s. Jesus is our friend walking beside us at these times and for me, I find this hopeful, reassuring and very, very comforting.
There is much to be gained from watching and waiting, we are all made different and God has granted us different gifts with which to serve. Perhaps watching and waiting are not your gifts. But whatever they are, they are gifts and that is what makes each and everyone of us so loved in the eyes of the Lord, gifts to be present with Him always as Jesus watches and waits for us.
Peace be with you friends <><
I will see you virtually tomorrow at 9.00 take care out there xxxx :)
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