By VERNA BROCK
Staring at this blank screen, I am pondering where to begin this week’s column. Usually, I have so much material I scarcely know where to start, but occasionally I’m stumped. Current events seem overwhelming right now.
The disastrous storms that have pounded our western neighbors relentlessly for days, are slowly advancing upon us. Promising rain with a possibility of flooding, along with gusty winds, we may get off lightly. But reports this morning of tornadoes in Jackson and Decatur Counties renew awareness that weather (and life) can be unpredictable. I know for many people, hurricane PTSD is already starting to kick in. Now is the time to begin whatever preparations we can do in advance. Meanwhile, let us keep those who have lost so much in our prayers.
Are you feeling dread and dismay as you rise some mornings? I confess, I do. What an odd juxtaposition, to be surrounded by so many blessings and happiness while watching events careen drunkenly along. Searching my heart, I question my resilience, my ability to adapt if my worst fears are realized. How equipped am I to cope with loss?
I think one of the side effects of retirement is having time to focus on a limited horizon in life. Before retirement, I had little opportunity to ruminate on possible disasters and outcomes. It was necessary to focus on the immediate future, as immediate as putting supper on the table after a full day of librarying. My preoccupations had a distinctly different flavor.
Yes, I was (and still am!) involved in many different organizations and activities. But the future always felt like an open door with many different paths to choose from. Now I feel as though I have developed tunnel vision, and my options are more and more limited. That’s probably a good thing, as I’ve previously discussed my growing awareness of the ever increasing flow of sand through life’s hourglass. I NEED to focus up, and prioritize how and where I spend my energy. But the real question is how do I actually do this?
Deep in my soul, I already know the most important things in life. My relationships with God, my family, my friends. Those relationships are paramount, and nurturing them is the most important thing I can do. Should I ever lose all my material goods, it will mean nothing if I don’t have my loved ones happy and healthy. Yet I can’t deny that the life we’ve built is dear to me.
So I continue on, doing my best to trust in the Lord no matter what awaits, while striving to offer grace to everyone. My mother always advised me to, “cross that bridge when you come to it.” Great advice, when I remember it!
Don’t forget, this Sunday evening is Second Sunday Sing at the Woodville UMC, at 6:00pm, followed by a fellowship supper. MAundy Thursday service will be at the Wakulla UMC, at 6:00 pm. There will be an Easter Egg Hunt at the Woodville UMC on Saturday, the 19th at 10:00 am, followed by lunch.
The Wakulla UMC will host a sunrise service at 7:15 a.m. on Easter Sunday; the Woodville UMC will have a traditional Easter service at 11:15 a.m. Everyone is invited to join us for these special Holy Week services.
Happy birthday wishes to Ashley Mattox, Kelly O’Neil, Sam Jose, Judy Collomy and John Collomy.
The following folks have requested our prayerful support: Jimmy Gainey, Kara Andrews, Jane Temples, Enily McEwan, Richard Mattox, Lisa Melvin, Donna Beard, Jacob Waite, Jane Osbourne, Thelma Watts, and Pastor Tommy Stone.