Friday, January 5, 2024
Memorial of Saint John Neumann, Bishop
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
Just a day in the life with Jasper and friends
God is greater than our hearts and knows everything.
It’s been foggy and rainy and 50 degrees all day. As I write I hear the water dripping off the roof outside onto a plastic tub. We don’t have weather like this in Austin very much, and I’m spoiled by the 65-degree blue sky sunshine days that seemed endless just half a week ago.
Whoever does not love remains in death. And let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.
Jasper came, and we stayed inside all morning. He put together three Paw Patrol puzzles, we built a fort out of blue sticks and red balls, he tiptoed to the top of the fort on a ladder which seems to be made especially for him. We went to the library, where he picked out four books, I got six, and Margaret one, a 50 pounder, the 2024 Complete American’s Test Kitchen recipes.
Well, maybe not 50 pounds.
Margaret made taco filling, which Jasper loved. Our actual tortillas were old and not so good, but the meat was great. I cut up some fruit. Later Miles and Andi came to pick up Jasper, and I helped Miles with his math homework. He reluctantly read a few pages of Frog and Toad to us. Everyone in the family loves to read. He will get the hang of it himself, soon, I’m sure. We made root beer floats and cut a little pecan pie. The vanilla ice cream flowed freely.
While we were gone between Thanksgiving and Christmas, workmen tore out our old kitchen and bathroom cabinets and counters. They installed new shiny granite counters and fine white cabinets. I’ve mentioned this before, but I can’t quite believe it. Anyway, we are having lunch and snacks now at the counter. Miles was first to say how much it felt like a fancy restaurant, watching the chef at work and being served right across the counter from the kitchen.
Today that was me. I have a “bib” Margaret made me a couple years ago, and it serves as my chef’s apron. Today they asked me to adopt a chef’s accent and ask them what they’d like in the way of silverware, napkins, glasses and plates. Maybe bowing occasionally to the customers, who of course are always right. I obliged. One of these days we’ll switch places.
Beloved, this is the message we have heard from the beginning: we should love one another. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers.
Jasper never takes a nap these days, but after our lunch he and I laid down on the bed and read one of his four stories, and then a second one. We were all cuddled up on pillows large and small. As usual I got sleepy before the second book was done, but I finished it. He took the book and I closed my eyes. Fast asleep.
Turns out he was too. His determination not to nap foundered in the midst of all those pillows, and under a soft Cubs blanket I’ve had nearly ten years. When I was awakened by a phone call, he slept right through. Finally I prodded him awake just in time for Miles and Mommy to arrive.
Jesus said to his new disciple Nathaniel, “You will see the sky opened, with the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.
I always wonder about other peoples’ dreams. Jasper doesn’t remember much, at least not to tell his grandma and grandpa. But one of these days, I’m confident, he too will see the sky opened and the angels descend.
 (1 John 3, Psalm 100, John 1)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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