Saturday, May 16, 2020
Peter Rice
Where do you turn for support during difficult times?
On Wednesday afternoon I retrieved a message from my answering machine. Immediately recognizing the familiar voice of Nathan or “Pal“ as I often call him, I listened to his message. Simply put, it was a request to call him back. In my mind a caution flag appeared. Now the background to this cautionary approach needs explanation. Undoubtedly it is not generally known outside of the parish office that Rob, Pal and “Rev“ (for revolutionary) as I refer to her, on occasion muse about “is today one of those days when Peter Rice will appear and voice his annoyance relevant to St. John’s Church (SJC) procedures,” etc . Now just for the record and in case some in the SJC community are not aware, the three senior God types in our church all have a wicked sense of humor. It is therefore understandable that one of the inside jokes for all who work at Tebbett’s frequently are at my expense and truth be known I enjoy the humor involved.
Returning the call, Pal asked for a favor: Would I author a Daily Reflection? As this request was coming from one of the best preachers ever to ascend to the SJC pulpit, I was flattered. Hesitant? Yes. Intimidated by the thought of authoring a Reflection? Definitely yes. Well, not wanting to say no to my Pal, I agreed to the request on one condition; that I could exercise poetic license. Pal, of course, laughed and said absolutely. So in case some of you have not noticed, poetic license began almost at the outset of this paragraph.
My personal reflections start somewhere between 4:30 and 5:00 am. At this time of year, the views from my bedroom windows are of early sunrise the frequent beauty of which can provoke – among other things – thoughts of the coming day and the challenges involved. I do a fair amount of volunteer work helping to make sure that all who need food are provided for. As I sit on the edge of the bed I cannot help but consider Cv -19 and whether or not I should run the risks involved. The answer is always the same; If I don’t do it, someone else will have to. Fairly quickly, I make the decision to move forward by joining many other volunteers who ask themselves the same question before venturing out from the relevant security of their homes.
Back to my early morning reflections – and, more specifically, it’s time to get into some God stuff. Beside my bed is a copy of Forward Day by Day. I have been a reader of this publication for years and always find the contents to be a good way to start the day. Some days I will reach for the bible and read the recommended psalm or verses of scripture. Some days I don’t. But on that bedside table there’s a small piece of paper with a prayer that I read almost every day. It prepares me for whatever the day will bring. Frequently I feel that particular lines are written just for me:
Lord, Grant me to greet the coming day in peace
Help me in all things to rely on your will
In every hour of the day reveal your will to me
in all my deeds and words guide my thoughts and feelings
In unforeseen events let me not forget that all are sent by you
Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others
Give me the strength to bear the fatigue of the day, with what it shall bring
Direct my will. Teach me to pray. Pray yourself in me.
Amen.
Finally I would offer this poem. It has a definite relevance to the world we are presently living in.
This Too Will Pass Away
by Helen Steiner Rice
If I can endure for this minute
Whatever is happening to me,
No matter how heavy my heart is
Or how dark the moments may be -
If I can remain calm and quiet
With all my world crashing about me,
Secure in the knowledge God loves me
When everyone seems to doubt me -
If I can keep on believing
What I know in my heart to be true
For as long as this knowledge remains
I can suffer whatever is happening
For I know God will break all the chains
That are binding me tight in the darkness
And tying to fill me with fear-
For there is no night without dawning
And I know that my morning is near.