Preaching in the car to myself yesterday as we are all wont to do, (yes?) I was trying to think of something particularly odious to make a point.  The subsequent story fills my family with laughter, nose crinkling, and head shaking as we recollect this particular evening.

A middle school soccer game was being played with the hubby coaching and the middle daughter playing on a soccer pitch that was surrounded on 3 sides by farmland.  Unfortunately, game time corresponded exactly with the farmer's spreading of the foulest, awfullest, most fetid, liquid putrescence imaginable. The "bog of eternal stench" has nothing on Lancaster county spreadables!  A nice little wind was blowing directly across the field resulting in the complete infiltration of every pore, pocket, and shinguard. Oh yeah. I am not exaggerating. Ask anyone who was present that day.

Those of us watching did so with our hands over our mouths and noses. Cliff said as he sat on the bench that a damp vile spray tickled his neck. Uh huh. Gulp. You know how usually you stop smelling something after you've been immersed in the odor for a time?  That didn't happen. Ever.
Each minute seemed equivalent to an hour.
Following the foulfield game, the girls were taken to Wendy's for supper where the friendly cashier wondered, "What's that awful smell?"
As we got home and showered, washed clothing and hair, I came upstairs from the basement and my olfactory system shouted warning. Yep, in a corner was a sweatshirt silently screaming malodorous intent. Having come directly from the office to the game, our friend Abe had to discard, throw-away, trash the nicely tailored suit he was wearing that day. We often describe memories as "sweet;" this one I'll call "noxious" yet equally notable!

An odious story to make a point. That's the story. Now, what was the point?  Nevermind. I'll save it for another day.

I've enjoyed having the intergenerational mix in the Upper Room this summer.  On Sunday in the fellowship hall at 9 am, all adults will have the opportunity to receive an update from Anne Marie Smoker who is here from Japan.  I'm also looking forward to hearing from our friend and former interim pastor Ray Yoder who will be sharing the morning message he is calling "Influence."  Scripture passages are John 7:37-39 and Acts 9:36-42. The power of the Holy Spirit is at work in us and through us in our everyday lives.

New jobs, moving, travel, babies
Job loss, new schools, break ups, marriage
Sickness, sadness, laughter, health
Studies, training, loss, wondering
Hopeless, joy, fighting, faith
Laughter, tears, death, being...
Stop! God is present. Be filled! 

Prayer for today:  God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea. Ps46:1-2  We rest and hope in you, loving God. Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. Amen. 


Time to go inhale the sweet scent of my roses. 

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!
Love and Light,
Carol

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend." jd