A Rainy Sunday on the East Coast - A Call for Prayers

Today is one of those days when living near the beach is just meant for sleeping, staying inside, reading a good book, and saying "the elements made me do it." In truth, I don't need to blame the elements for these choices which I make frequently. May you have a pleasant and restful Sunday; avoid the news as it can raise the blood pressure; avoid the video games which may do Sunday-harm what with all those synapses firing; and ENJOY the company of pets, family, and friends - as long as you are not the one having to go out. God bless you! Today is the day for Fran's Sunday Ruminations at Eternity Road and today's title is "Fran's Sunday Ruminations: Lesser Loves", and so my request seems appropriate there as well as to you, my friends, here. Please take a second in a prayer if you would be so kind for my friend George and for his wife of 53 years along with a prayer for their three children. Today, that family - like many others across America - stand a lonely vigil as the body of George shuts down and the Soul of my friend George prepares for Its journey along Eternity Road. George served his nation in Vietnam; he retired from a long military career. He loved God and worshiped Him daily. George served as a Deacon in his church - his was a voice of calm and reason. George loved and cherished his wife with a humbling purity and she has been his partner throughout the ups and downs that are life. George and his wife lived the Christian life; they walked it and they reared their children to follow along the path they had shared. Soon the body of George will be placed into the ground but not his Soul - not the part that made him George. Having just celebrated Easter, I know God's promise to George and to his family will be fulfilled. As mere mortals, we must give our friend up to God in faith and hold George's family in prayer. As George's family sits and weeps in the sorrow and pain of their loss, clothed in sterile, pale yellow paper garments from the hospital, alone in a dark room hidden from view by a closed door with instructions to those who may enter to wash their hands, slip on plastic gloves, and tap gently on the door - please hold this tiny family in your hearts with love. George and his wife are experiencing now, in these last hours, the most intimate time of their life together - its parting. It is an intimacy none can share - not even their children. And the trumpets sound; the Angels sing: "Up from the grave He arose....." May you look at the loved ones in your life this day and thank God for them, for their love, and for God's generosity - be it ever so humble.