a healing rose in Connecticut

Beloved,

As tragedy strikes, allow each other to "not be ok". Don't be too quick with a tissue, nor even a hug at times. It may feel uncomfortable to you. You want to stop their pain because it makes you feel bad and it is hard to watch a person in distress but let them be.


To often we act as a drain plug to grief.

I need you all to understand that the church where I minister lies a good twenty minutes away from Newtown. We have no direct losses in our parish, but the town does.

Last night after the conclusion of our candle light vigil a woman walked up into the gazebo and crept around all those who had spoken and offered prayers. She placed a single red rose on the top of the wreath. She told me it was given to her from a person from Newtown. She worked there as a dental assistant. She had been taking care of those kids for 10 years. Then she began to shake.

She had such a look in her eyes, and there amid all of the busyness I was able to ask her the anointed question "how are you" ... she could not speak. I gave her some time to talk. It felt like eternity. Her body language spoke for her.

"Not very well" I said. "That's ok. May I pray for you?" She simple nodded and embraced me, holding on very tight.

I prayed for her dreams, and that God would be as close to her as her next breath. I could feel her breath again. She trembled and then silence.

As I think this morning she was much like the woman who grabbed Jesus' garment, sneaking around the pastors, the "important people" to place a flower and perhaps find healing in her pain...I am no Jesus, but I thank God that the Spirit had me turn and ask "may I pray for you?"...would you like to be well.

These are the ones to look for. The silent ones who feel they need to steal a healing. These are the ones with the faith to be made well. These are the ones who think they are too much of a bother to ask...

 Christians, here is your task. Go to them, find them, keep your eyes open, and ask if they want to be well. Then for Heaven's sake do not hold back the Balm of Gilead! This is Advent! The World became Flesh and dwelt among us! He did not come to live in our churches! He came to heal, rule, and set captives free!