As you all know, I have spent the past month with my wife Bonnie as she recovers from surgery and complications at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA. It has been a long journey. One of the surprising comforts has been staying at the Bed & Breakfast across the street from the hospital. The owner intentionally set up her business there. Out of her own experience, she wanted to provide a place of respite for those who have loved ones who are patients at Baystate. Her place is very whimsical and truly feels like home. Everyone who stays there gathers around a grand piano that serves as the table for breakfast. At that table, we share our stories every day. We have loved ones who, like Bonnie, have face surgery, or had heart attacks, or were in car accidents. The list goes on. I want to tell you that something holy happens in the midst of those conversations. Healing takes place. You might believe it would be the opposite. All those painful stories shared. Wouldn’t that just get you down, but it doesn’t. They are shared stories. We all know what the other person is talking about. We are amazingly there for each other. Each day we want an update. Each day we celebrate the victories. Each day we pray for the struggles. Around that grand piano, we are a community, we are a church.
I have thought about that image. At our best, that is the church. We gather and share our stories with each. We know we are safe and that people understand our joys and sorrows. We find comfort, respite, and healing. Together, we celebrate every victory. Together, we pray for every struggle. And who is sitting unseen at the keyboard while we sit around the piano. At that seat we find God. And God listens to every story, joins in the celebrations, and comforts the sorrows. God is in our midst. We are not alone. And in God’s presence there is not only peace, but hope.
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