Calm in the storm

The day began rough with a sleepless night, a sick loved one and an unexpected calling out of work to take them for an urgent visit. (Thankfully all will be well). Since I missed work I was able to go to church tonight. Due to my work schedule I really don’t get to attend Wednesday night service at church anymore.  When I first visited St. Timothy’s all those years ago  it was on a Wednesday night.  In fact early on before we had affirmation from the Lord this would indeed become our new church home we would attend Wed night services here and our prior church Sundays.  This has been home for more than 10 years now. How I love the sounds of Sunday morning and all of the smiling faces and the beautiful worship Sunday services, there is just something about Wed night , calmer pace , quieter, simpler Eucharist service that just ministers to my soul.  Tonight it was a much needed balm for a weary soul.  Even attending the service meant I had to trust God that my ill family member was in good care and ok while I left home to attend the service. I had to lay everything my worries, my fears, my exhaustion, my regrets (missing work means rescheduling patients and disrupting their lives too), the whole mess of it….I had to choose to lay it at the foot of the cross.  In return I was given peace, hope restored, and some soul healing for myself as I was able to stand around the altar with my brothers and sisters, my husband, and my priest and experience the thin veil between heaven and earth pulled aside so that we the church militant could sup with our Lord in Holy Communion with a great cloud of witnesses, the church triumphant.  Oh the souls I know in love in that Church Triumphant and the ones I have yet to know. What a glorious day that will be.  For now I am thankful for the fellowship of believers in my parish at St. Timothy’s led by my priest who is a very good shepherd.  I am thankful for the calm and peace of this slower pace , quiet Wed night Eucharist service.  I am thankful that we have a God who meets all of our needs according to the riches we have in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19)