There is a very fine film called ‘A Walk to Remember’. I just returned from a walk and will try to remember every walk I have taken at Wiler. Because the time here is winding down, I want to savor even the hard ones. Today was one of those. I invited others but all are busy or don’t need a walk. It is my favorite walk introduced by Barbara – a diligent walker – the week I arrived at the start of October. It goes steep than farmhouses and a lovely garden-ish shop named something Blume. A building style I am noticing that makes so much sense for retirement or just to provide housing for others is, what I call, the farmhouse remodel. Children launched so add some stairs and a few kitchens and you have a lovely home with two upper level apartments in a beautiful farm community.
I dropped a tear at the beginning of the walk because I miss family. Then downhill to a bench. I thought I might need a pause to mull some things over but waited to decide on the condition of the bench – still covered in ice. Keep walking Pam. Living in community has some challenges. in the last 24 hours I gave a gift, received a gift, made three gifts, cooked dinner, went to an advent party at a neighbors (I thought it was indoors but was not and 28 degrees and no coat – have you ever miscalculated and caused yourself embarrassment?), felt I had to stay out of my shared space because someone slept in until 1:00 PM, and had a friend tell me I lack grace. BOOM. Isn’t it funny how we just go along and then a friend says something and your gut hurts. I am not detailing and maybe there is some truth there but life is a balance of truth and grace. I learned this week that the order is important but that there is no ranking. Jesus was full of grace and the entire Bible describes Him as full of grace and truth. John 1:14 is my new favorite verse. Read it in the Message Bible translation which is not word for word but tells the Bible by content. Grace should always come before truth. Too much grace and you have a permissive environment. Too much truth and it is legalism and Jesus was very hard on the Pharisees. Today I was reading in Mark chapter 7. Vain worship honors men before God. It invalidates truth to add religious traditions. I’ll never forget my close call in a Lutheran church when a big discussion surrounding the color of flags inside the building went long. I almost acted like myself and wanted to ask where these colors are mentioned in the Bible. I held my tongue but will never be popular in any church because I have so many opinions. I don’t know what to do about that because I can’t always be right but I think I am. Is that a challenge for you as well? Maybe that is why I can be played down by a friend who did not ask about why I did what I did but drew a conclusion I’m still thinking about? In community resolution is the goal but I don’t want to make a mountain out of a molehill. But then again…