DAYS OF RENEWAL

The sun peeks through the clouds, as the last remnants of snow melts. This winter, while not producing many storms, has still been rough. Many trees have lost limbs under the weight of ice. Many homes have endured several days without heat or power. There have been few glimpses of the sun, as the landscape has remained dreary throughout the past couple months. The world looks more void than it does anything else. Yards and parks have been taken over by standing water. Yet, there is renewed life awaiting just below the surface.

This time of year tends to mimic the season of Lent itself. The Creation resembles an image of death much more so than an image of life. The deep darkness of night can foreshadow the vastness of a tomb. Fields stand in stillness and quiet, except for a few souls trying their best to survive the elements. Even so, stars occasionally twinkle in the sky, and the sun briefly makes appearances. And just below the surface, seeds await the herald of God’s trumpet. There will be a day where we awake to buds on trees and flowers poking their heads out from the soil. New life is brimming ever so close, and yet seemingly so far away. But that is Lent. Death feels close at hand, as if it has the final say. It won’t, though. For God’s purpose is life and relationship. Winter is a season of sabbath. Lent is a season of reflection. Renewal is right around the corner. That which feels dreary, is but a prelude to the glory that is about to come. Amen.

-Rev Jeffrey G Mikyska

IT IS ALWAYS ABOUT RELATIONSHIP

On a chilly winter’s evening, an old raccoon ambles up a tree and onto a deck. From here, he approaches the patio door and comes to rest quietly. There is shelter in this place, and often food. Within a few minutes, he realizes he is being watched from the other side of the pane of glass. There is no fear in this moment, but instead some level of recognition. He knows the routine, as he and the homeowner have seemingly trained each other. The raccoon meanders over to the other side of the deck and waits with anticipation for a sandwich or a leftover of some sort to appear out of the door. On this night, he is not disappointed. Once the door is closed, the old soul stalls for a minute or two, and then makes his way over for his feast. He is very aware that he is being watched, but that is alright because the person on the other side of that glass is a trusted neighbor.

Life in God’s creation is unique this way. Diversity does not preclude connection. God’s creatures are ultimately all beloved children placed here with divine intention from an omnipotent Creator. The old raccoon’s presence brings joy to his neighbor, who in turn shows a sense of welcome and love to this old soul out in the elements. And as small and mundane as this exchange may seem, it is exactly how God envisions this kingdom should be. We share. We love. We welcome. We accept. We appreciate. Thus, the friendship forged between these two continues, and is very much real to each. For this is life in God’s eyes. It is always about relationship. Thanks be to God for friends of all shapes and sizes. Amen.

-Rev Jeffrey G Mikyska

LOVE ROLLS ONWARD

An old black and white photo is pulled from a box. It is the picture of a little boy and his grandpa. The older man is seated with his left elbow leaning on a small table. The young boy stands just on the other side of that table, leaning on his right elbow as if to mimic this man he so adores. The love they share is very much visible, especially in the eyes of a grandfather locked in on his youngest grandchild, as well as in the smile on that child’s face. The connection between these two is pure and true. They are exactly where they should be, side by side.

Life, however, is unpredictable. This is the last existing photo of them together. The grandfather would pass away very suddenly just a couple weeks later. Even so, the love has never ended. The little boy grew up feeling his grandpa’s admiration ever nearby. He has visited that graveside many times, and has brought his own children there too. He still looks at that picture on occasion, wondering what could have been while also knowing the love that still is. Perhaps it is one of God’s miracles that love can transcend all time, places, and barriers. Then again, love abides deep within the heart and soul, far removed and protected from any human timelines. In any event, five decades have come and gone, and now the young boy is a grandfather himself. His eyes look admiringly upon a little girl who has captured his heart and rekindled his soul. A smile breaks out on his face at the mere thought of her. Roles have been switched, and time has marched along. Some have left this earth while others have joined us on this journey. But the love rolls onward like a force through the ages and a current riding the waves of time. Fifty years from now, a woman will be looking back at a childhood photo with her grandpa…

-Rev Jeffrey G Mikyska

LIFE DIVINELY ORDAINED

On a cold winter’s night, God’s light reflects down upon the Creation as seasons begin to move. For the past couple months, slumber and hibernation have been the norm. But on this night, a full moon dominates the skies, while spectacular shadows decorate the snow cover. The ground has become a mirror image of the trees above. The snow is slowly melting as the temperatures methodically rise. The deep freeze is releasing its grip upon this corner of the earth. All the while, the old crabapple tree’s roots are soaking in the moisture as they gently awaken. In weeks to come, the sun’s warmth will touch her limbs, calling her to a new day. Little sprouts will appear, before exploding into beautiful white flowers. Soon after, she will return to her work of producing leaves and fruits. All this will happen as God’s trumpets resound and God’s Spirit flows along the landscape. The ways of new life are ever being prepared, even as we continue in our brief seasonal rest.

Life is funny in that growth and change happens even as we sleep. Perhaps this is when transformation occurs the most. There is a reason God insists we take time for Sabbath. This transformation can be seen in the caterpillar who transfigures into a butterfly, or in the tree who literally sheds its life to be recreated into something different, but equally glorious the next year. For our Jewish sisters and brothers, Tu B’Shevat is a celebration of the new year of the trees. It carries much symbolism, but maybe its greatest meaning to someone such as myself is in simply acknowledging the cycles of life that God has divinely ordained. The truth is that life is cycling right now, both in the Creation surrounding me, and in my own soul at the same time. I need not understand, but rather only experience, just as this wonderful old crabapple’s soul is doing at this very moment. On this night, we have that in common. Thanks be to God. Amen.

-Rev Jeffrey G Mikyska