Our New Home

"Because of the tender mercy of our God by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven, to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace." Luke 1:78-79

The Movers delivered all our furniture yesterday and the rectory is piled high with boxes and the assorted things of our lives. It is stunning and frightening to see one's earthly possessions laid out and scattered across a space, waiting to be placed and put in some order. We have days and days ahead with which to unpack all the boxes and to sort things out. This morning I woke and was glad to be on the far side of this move, and to be home. Despite the clutter of boxes and scattered possessions, we are home and it feels good.

I imagine Zechariah's song comes from the place in his life where silence and isolation are behind him and he has a new life in the child John who becomes the herald for Jesus. At an advanced age, Zechariah is a father for the first time, amazed at what God is going and what God has done. A life of struggles and disappointments erased at the coming of a new son. The long awaited resolution to much ache and pain.

Today, in our new surroundings, I want to sing like Zechariah, a song of thanksgiving for what God has done for us. Brought us to a new place and brought us home. We have a community of folks who have become friends, who have fed and cared for us generously as we move in. We have been humbled and amazed at the love that has been showered upon us. I can't help but singing. May we all find a song in our hearts today, as we remember all the love God has showered us with, and the people in our lives who have made that love real.