Ode To Some Good People

6/23/24

Hi Good Person!

Have been really struggling with finishing the post I’ve been working on for several days now so instead, here’s the contribution for another writing assignment. You may not know these exact people but I’m praying you’ve had, &/or will have soon, some version of them in your own life. 

An honest question I have is, how do you determine who is a genuine friend, and who isn’t? I would think ‘trust’ is a (if not THE) major factor, but what do you think?

And what about family of choice? 

Do you ever consider another to be a sibling/parent/extended family member even though there is no blood, legal or marital connection?

I do that a lot actually, but usually don’t let the other ‘relative of choice’ know that. 

I know, for the most part anyway, they already have a good, established  tribe that surrounds them; they look out for and support each other, look to each other for advice, have snit fits amongst their selves 🙂 and still love each other, have fun together, etc. 

I have been call ‘sister’ by non-relatives and while I really appreciate it, I’m pretty certain there’s a caveat of ‘as long as you don’t take it too literally and ask too much of the relationship’ in their definition. 🙂

So I do my best to just appreciate the time the members of my make-believe family and I spend together, even if it’s just small snippets of time.

A couple I’ve mentioned before were the couple, the L’s. † 

Don’t know that I ever thought of them as parents, per se; it was more about learning what mutually tender, genuine, respectful, love between two people who have been together for 60 or 70 years, looks like. 

I would have loved to have had the wherewithal to sit with them for a while to hear their story and be mentored on how to create such a strong faith in God & each other, trust in a relationship, and how to gently love another.  

J. R. was another ‘family’ member of heart – Father, of course :). 

He was a man that, without demanding it, commanded respect with his integrity and conviction of faith.  And also, in the way he treated his beautiful wife, B. 

When I was an elder I had NO idea why I was in that realm, to be honest! Didn’t feel qualified to make  the decisions this esteemed group of people are responsible for, so I’d always look to see what Mr. R voted, and did the same. 🙂  He was one of the founders of our church and he helped build it up with his own faith, sweat equity and heart. Even though he never made announcements or sent flares up every time he did something for his beloved church (or maybe, because of that!) I knew he always had the best interests of the congregation in mind, so why would I contradicthim?? 

I never really talked with him much; never knew what to say and he always had people around him anyway. So it surprised me so much not that long ago when, as I was walking past him in the hallway, he made a comment that floored me. 

I always figured he was so busy with everybody and everything else that he never really noticed me. And we all know he’s not exactly a flatterer; if he says something, he means it. 

Can’t remember his exact words right now (I will as soon as this is sent off, I bet:)), but he was appreciative of something I had done. 

It felt like words of affirmation I’ve waited a lifetime to hear from a parent and they (he) touched my heart.

We’re all going to miss you, J. †

Now, one of my imaginary (but real person!:)) sisters, Pastor B, is moving on. 

We’re all so glad Pastor B, minister with a good heart and gentle Spirit as well as a thoughtful, gifted speaker, has found a position that’ll make the most of her God given talents. But Lordy, she and her family will be missed!

Knowing how busy she is, I was always so grateful that when contacted she always acted like we had all the time needed to resolve an issue.  And she always has positive things to say about everyone, and is soooo patient when someone makes repeated mistakes while trying to learn a new bell song . . . 

Thank You, Pastor B.  Looking forward to hearing about the wonderful new opportunities, accomplishments, and blessings that are about to overtake you. †

Dear Heavenly Abba/Jesus/Holy Spirit ~

Thank You for all the people of You that you’ve so generously planted and dispersed amongst us here on earth. May we recognize them when we meet them, and pray blessings upon them when we do. 

In Jesus name, AMEN!

This week’s song is one of those that I can’t not smile whenever I hear it. Loved the movie it came from, “Blues Brothers”, and this is a video of Dan Akroyd and Jim Belushi (and their band) playing their cover of “Soul Man” on SNL. LOVE to watch these dudes dance! (There’s about a minute of intro by Garrett Morris first.)