It Will Pass by Francini Reis

This week was an emotional rollercoaster. Early Sunday morning, I found myself in the middle of a water leak that flooded our house with two inches of water. The next couple of days were spent washing clothes and organizing the house after the mess.

The timing couldn’t have been worse as we had plans to celebrate my daughter, Chloe's, 5th birthday. We really wanted to have a relaxing week, but it was not meant to be. As I sit and think back on everything that’s happened, I am exhausted.   I am writing this blog after a birthday party at Orlando Junior Academy, and I am watching Chloe playing in the playground with her daddy.  The “storm” has passed.

Once upon a time, a king called his wise men and asked for an oracle that would help him deal with all hardships during his reign. The wise men came up with all kinds of tricks, concoctions, and spells. Nothing seemed to appeal to him. When all was said and done, the king said, "Is this all?" In the back of the room, an old, wrinkled hand went up. It was the oldest wise man. The king summoned him, and he walked slowly up to the throne.  Kneeling before the king, the old man handed him a headband made of pure linen. On it were the words "It Will Pass."

Our life is just like a rollercoaster; sometimes we enjoy the ride, sometimes we are scared to death. Other times, we can't wait for it to be over so we can laugh, scream, or even cry. Each one of us has different opportunities, fears, problems, and frustrations. How we tackle life is what defines who we are. The trick is not to let the upsets define you.

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." (2 Corinthians 4:17)

Francini Reis

Unexpected Love by Greg Creek

My wife and I are expecting our first child in a few months. We recently went to the doctor and had the sonogram to find out the gender. We had the results put into an envelope and will be finding out in a few days. By the time you read this, we’ll know.

While it would be easy to go back and edit this so that it’s present tense, that would take away the whole point! I’m so excited! We have a big party planned and will find out with a bunch of friends what gender our baby is going to be.

The question that we get the most regarding gender is whether we have a preference. We don’t. One time someone asked that question, and before I could respond said, “The correct answer is, ‘as long as they’re healthy, it doesn’t matter.’” Here’s the deal: that response doesn’t express how I feel.

I don’t care if my baby is a boy or a girl, healthy or unhealthy, weak or strong, blond or brunette, left-handed or right-handed, short or tall, blue eyes or brown eyes. I’ll love, nay, already love, my baby regardless of the previous attributes or how many fingers or toes they may or may not have.

I know very little about my baby. And yet, I love that little human being. I love that little baby because it belongs to my wife and I. Someone probably just thought to themselves, “Really, that baby belongs to God.” This I know. That is the whole point of this blog.

I know so very little about my baby and yet have an unending love for that little one. Imagine how God feels about each one of us. He has known us before we were even born (Jer. 1:5) and knew us before time even began (Is 46:10). Sure, we disappoint Him. Sure, we are marred by sin. But God doesn’t care! He loves us with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3)! It’s an unending, invasive, life altering, mess-you-up-in-a-good-way sort of love.

People tell me that my picture of God will change with all the new things I experience with parenting. On the cusp of finding out my baby’s gender, I’m discovering that’s true. God loves me with a ferocious love I’ve never experienced until now.

I don’t know when the next revelation of His love will be shown to me. I’m sure it will come as a surprise. Of all the places to discover His love, I found it in a gender reveal party.

Greg Creek

Funeral For A Friend - Orlo Gilbert by Richard Hickam

A musical mentor of mine passed away a couple of months ago, and I am a part of a memorial concert that is taking place in a few weeks. My mind has been awash with memories as I am helping gather photographs, write program notes, and communicate with old friends. Orlo Gilbert taught me many things about music, such as the importance of being prepared, being early, and practice, practice, practice – slowly and correctly.  He was also a formidable debater when it came to matters he was passionate about.

Orlo was raised in a farming community in South Dakota and was taught the value of a hard day’s work from an early age.  He absolutely lived the adage, “make hay while the sun is still shining” for as long as I knew him. He carried this mantra on in his musical pursuits as a professional violin player, educator, and conductor. Late in his career, he branched out into learning the organ and string bass. A passion for excellence carried over into his other hobby, working on antique cars. His award-winning 1914 Willis Overland, two Ford Model T’s, and 1941 Ford Woody were reminders of the exquisite attention to detail with which he pursued all things to which he set his mind.

I was a less-than-model student in my early college career (and I do mean career). I dropped out of college several times and became involved in self-destructive activities. Even when I was not attending school, Orlo invited me to come and play in his orchestra. Eventually, I moved to California to “find myself,” and things eventually got worse. I finally came to a turning point that was the beginning of a meaningful, spiritual journey. I heard that Orlo was taking his orchestra to Scotland the following year and, having heritage there, I determined I was going to go back, humble myself being an older student, and make a go of it. Orlo gave me opportunity after opportunity, and my junior and senior year I was his assistant conductor. He saw something in me that he drew out and polished as if I were one of his old cars.

The way he lived his life of service to others reminds of me of the verse in I Peter 4:10: “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

 I have been assigned to conduct the memorial orchestra for the finale of Saint-Saens “Organ” Symphony #3. It’s a tricky piece to conduct and is one that I’ve always wanted to do. In my score study, I am meticulously going through all the things Orlo taught me for an event which is sure to be an emotional roller coaster.

So thanks Orlo, for investing in old cars and human lives, and when I see you again, I can’t wait to tell you about how much the things you taught me prepared me for a life of service to others in a most excellent fashion.

Richard Hickam

Croutons by Tami Cinquemani

Croutons.  I just pulled two pans of these freshly made bites of deliciousness from my oven.  Dating back to medieval times, the crouton is most commonly found in little cubes but can also be enjoyed in a variety of sizes and shapes.  Though you can just pop them in your mouth and crunch them by themselves, they’re especially wonderful when they accentuate a plate of salad or spice up a bowl of soup. 

Okay, by now you’re wondering if the Hospital Church blog has reinvented itself as a cooking forum.  Whether you view that as a positive move or not, such is not the case. 

There’s actually a wonderful life lesson in croutons.  It’s in the bread.  You see, you don’t make croutons with fresh bread – it needs to be old bread, hard bread, stale bread.  Though some may be tempted to throw it away, when the bread is past its prime, it’s not past its usefulness – as a matter of fact, it’s exactly what is needed.

I think it’s unfortunate that sometimes our more senior generation is viewed like bread left on the counter too many days.  It’s just as unfortunate when they view themselves the same way – when they lose sight of their value, their usefulness, and the work God still has for them to do.  Scripture is filled with counsel to not miss what this generation has to offer:

"Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD." (Lev. 19:32)

“Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?” (Job 12:12)

“Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.” (Psalm 71:9)

"Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life." (Prov. 16:31) 

“Listen to your father, who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old.” (Proverbs 23:22)

In Messy Church, Ross Parsley compares the church to the family dinner table – a place where each generation is valued for what they bring to the table. 

We must have both heritage and innovation.  We need to know our history as well as the mystery of the work of the Holy Spirit among us now. 

Just as we don’t want to send the kids away to the kids’ table for our own benefit, we do not want to send our grandparents away to the nursing home.  We want them at the table, sharing stories, listening to ours, and giving us wisdom and guidance . . .

Our churches need to be full of Abrahams, Isaacs, and Jacobs as well!

We need grandpas and grandmas, middle-aged moms and dads, young professionals, teenagers, and kids, to be truly healthy as a family.

We were made for community.  We were made to need each other.

Age should never be an excuse to exclude, and it should never be used as an excuse to sit on the sidelines.  I like the way Craig Groeschel said it at a recent leadership conference:  “If you’re not dead, you’re not done.”  It may just be time to make some croutons. 

Tami Cinquemani