Confusing Selfishness And Obedience
Stories
Object:
Contents
"Confusing Selfishness and Obedience" by Larry Winebrenner
"The Wilderness Journey" by Larry Winebrenner
"Merle's Treasure" by Constance Berg
* * * * * * * * *
Confusing Selfishness and Obedience
Larry Winebrenner
Isaiah 1:1, 10-20
The vision of Isaiah son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah! "What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices?" says the LORD. "I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats. When you come to appear before me, who asked this from your hand? Trample my courts no more; bringing offerings is futile; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and sabbath and calling of convocation -- I cannot endure solemn assemblies with iniquity.
"Your new moons and your appointed festivals my soul hates; they have become a burden to me, I am weary of bearing them. When you stretch out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.
"Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.
"Come now, let us argue it out," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."
Why do you do good? Some might say for a reward. Some might say to avoid punishment. Some, because "That's what I am told to do." Whatever the answer, it is not sufficient.
The fact of the matter is, most people don't even think about it. They just do it because that's what has always been done. Habitual goodness. Ritual goodness.
When Isaiah addresses the people of Israel, he illustrates his concept by pointing at two of the wickedest, if not the two wickedest, cities in history -- Sodom and Gomorrah.
What do you remember about these cities? Probably that they were destroyed by fire and Brimstone. Anything else?
How about their desirability? Recall how Abraham's herders and Lot's men argued at the waterhole?
Get with it here. We're not talking about a pleasant spring of water where the weary traveler could take rest and quench thirst. We're talking about those lakes of water like you saw in cowboy movies where great herds of cattle moved up to slake their thirst. In ancient Bible lands it was humongous flocks of sheep.
You can imagine a genuine western-type feud, sans .44 revolvers, breaking out. Wise old Abraham steps in to pow-wow with his nephew, Lot.
"Look, nephew," he says. "There is no sense in getting a rangeland war started. Look around you. Decide what you like and I'll take what you don't want."
Lot stood on a high hill looking the situation over. He looked to the east and to the west, to the south and to the north. After a careful survey, he chose the most desirable section.
In the direction of Sodom and Gomorrah there were rich fields for the flocks. Water was abundant. There were houses available in the city. He didn't have to live in the desert tents any more.
There was well-organized worship in the cities. The holy days were observed. The designated ritual sacrifices were offered. Oblations were offered. Incense burned.
It was a very desirable area indeed.
So what happened if this were so desirable?
"Your ways are not my ways," says the LORD. "And what you see, I do not see." What Lot saw and what the LORD saw were two different things. Lot saw opportunity; the LORD saw temptation. Lot saw worship; the LORD saw abomination. Lot saw prosperity; the LORD saw disaster. Lot saw a future; the LORD saw destruction. Lot was not to learn about his mistakes until fire and brimstone destroyed everything he had. Even his wife was taken from him by transformation into a pillar of salt.
Some 1,200 or so years later, Isaiah is warning Israel they are about to make a Sodom and Gomorrah mistake. They thought God could be manipulated. If not by magic, then by extravagant gifts.
"Look, LORD, here's a marvelous bull, the best of my herd. And these rams are the king of the flock. I know you're going to enjoy feasting on them LORD, just as I will enjoy the success and prosperity you're going to give me in return."
Of course, Isaiah was teaching people more than two and a half millennia ago. That has no bearing on us. Why, hardly one soul in a million even raises livestock any more. Ask a thousand kids, or even adults, what a slop bucket is. See if they even know it's associated somehow with pigs.
So what does Isaiah have to say to us?
It wouldn't have any relationship to the "Give to the LORD and the LORD'll just give it right back to you," would it?
A "Good church member" recently told me, "I give it now and receive it back the rest of my life." I wish I had possessed some print outs of this passage of scripture at that moment. But would it have made any difference After all, Isaiah lived along, long time ago. Things were so different back then.
What could he have to say that could impact us today?
Anything, you suppose?
The Wilderness Journey
Larry Winebrenner
Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval.
By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going.
By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city that has foundations; whose architect and builder is God.
By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old -- and Sarah herself was barren -- because he considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, "as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore."
All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, the LORD has prepared a city for them.
"... they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return."
Many a parent has felt like pulling out his or her hair -- at least those who have hair -- when for the umpteenth time the kids ask, "Are we there yet?" I know, for as they say, been there/done that.
But even worse was the time our four-year-old daughter was with us as we moved from Florida to Indiana. I was on my way to serve a "student charge." For those unfamiliar with the term, it used to describe an assignment to a church while studying for the ministry. It is true OJT -- on the job training.
The mantra mouthed by our daughter wasn't, "Are we there yet?" It was, "When are we going home?"
The author of Hebrews caught that spirit when observing, "... If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return."
Most kids are optimistic. "Things are going to be great where we're going," most of them generally think.
"Are we there yet?"
There's a joyous anticipation about the destination.
Not all of God's children have had that understanding.
I wonder, for example, if there were those in Abram's caravan leaving the lush valleys and green hills of Haran who asked, "Where in the world are we going? What's wrong with Haran?"
We know that among that Moses-led exodus there were those who dreaded the journey. Time and again they said to Moses, "Did you bring us out into the wilderness to die?"
Many lobbied consistently to return to the slavery that fed them and gave them a modicum of comfort.
But not the faithful.
The Hebrews author specifies Abraham, but makes it clear that the journey did not end with him, but continued on through "descendants [that] were born, 'as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.' All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted" the City of God.
Often ours is a wilderness journey. The oases may be far apart. The trek may be hot and tiring. But what is our destination? The familiar torpid streets we keep glancing back over our left shoulder to see? Or a promised land making us cry, "Are we there yet?"
Larry Winebrenner is now retired and living in Miami Gardens, Florida. He taught for 33 years at Miami-Dade Community College, and served as pastor of churches in Georgia, Florida, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Larry is currently active at First United Methodist Church in downtown Miami, where he leads discussion in an adult fellowship group on Sunday mornings and preaches occasionally. He has authored two college textbooks, written four novels, served as an editor for three newspapers and an academic journal, and contributed articles to several magazines.
Merle's Treasure
Constance Berg
Luke 12:32-40
Merle Kvamme called three times before I could return her call the next day. She wanted to know if I was interested in leading a Bible study at her apartment building. She had tried for several months to get a study going but no one was available. Fifteen people had committed themselves if a leader could be found. They were excited! They didn't care what the topics were; they just wanted to study the Bible.
I was the new lay pastoral assistant at a big church downtown. I was enthusiastic, energetic, and happy to be able to have an instant opportunity of support and friendship. We set up the Bible study to begin in two weeks.
"Good," said Merle. "I bet I'll have more than fifteen there. We don't care what version of the Bible you use, just teach us. We want to learn!"
Merle was a treasure. Her enthusiasm was addictive. Her grace was evident from several phone conversations that followed. I was looking forward to meeting the group.
I felt a little nervous as I prepared. What text should I use? What version of the Bible should I bring? Should we start a series or study one book at a time? So many questions drifted in and out of my thoughts. I settled on a general first topic of how the Bible came to be. I would invite discussion and see where the group would want to go.
Two weeks flew by as I met all kinds of new people from the parish. Young and old, living in town and in the country, new members and staunch pillars of the church. I often said I wished everyone would just wear name tags for the next six months until I could learn the names!
Our first Bible study was fun. Merle met me at the door and embraced me with a bear hug. I followed her to the beautiful common area, decorated in navy, emerald, and burgundy. The room was warm and comfortable; yet there was ample opportunity to have private conversations in the many small sitting areas. Merle took me to the dining room where 24 people sat. We made introductions and Merle gave everyone a pink ribbon with his or her name on it. "It'll help you remember our names," she had said.
I was just about to begin when Merle raised her hand. "Would it be okay if we start with a short prayer? Hank and Mrs. Elias are sick and they'll need our prayers." I asked if there were any other requests and we prayed for those present and absent. What a way to begin the study!
We had a great Bible study. The Methodist, Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Roman Catholic, and Nazarene traditions were represented. These people were neighbors and they kept up a running dialog, timidly challenging and looking for answers.
I left that first meeting filled with wonder at a group so eager to learn, so happy to have a chance to ask questions and discuss. Oh, how I wished the confirmands were as bright-eyed! I left the group, giving them three index cards and the assignment of bringing three topics to class next week of anything they wanted to know about or study in further detail. Every week we would put the cards in a hat and literally choose one topic for the following week. This week we chose "Gracious/Biblical hospitality" as next week's topic.
The week flew by and Thursday arrived once again. I looked forward to the Bible study. I noted that I had to remember to give the group my phone number since it was listed incorrectly in the phone book. I entered the gorgeous lobby and rang the bell.
A young voice answered Merle's phone. I asked her if I could speak with Merle or if she could just buzz me in since I was there for Bible study. She paused for a long time. "I'll buzz you through so you can come up to the apartment," she said. A loud buzz followed and I climbed the grand, circular staircase to the second floor. Merle's apartment was down the hall. As I walked down the hallway, I noticed a "VELKOMMEN" sign at one of the doors. Another had a pretty little wreath with silk greenery and a bird in it. A tiny sign said, "Every birdie welcome." Another door had a small table next to it with a flower pot and an enormous amount of flowers growing in it. I resisted the urge to see if they could possibly be real in such a low-lighted hallway.
I got to Merle's apartment feeling like a nosey neighbor. A young girl of about fifteen answered the door. "Hi, I'm here for Bible study," I said, excited at the thought. "Are you Merle's granddaughter from up north? Merle has shared lots about you and your brother!"
I stopped. I looked a little closer at the girl. She had obviously been crying. She looked up and opened her mouth. She looked at me and began to sob.
I dropped my books and gave her a hug. "What on earth is wrong? Do you need some help? Can I call someone for you? Is Merle okay?" I rambled on in typical fashion. The door opened further and a man came forward, eyes red and spilling over tears. "Merle died this morning. We couldn't reach you, and the church said you were on your way when we called. We're sorry."
I was shocked. How could it be that Merle would die right when her Bible study had finally begun to take shape? I sat down. I couldn't believe it. The red-eyed people looking at me told me this was not a dream.
I stayed with the family for a long while, talking and crying with them. Finally I walked down the hallway and through the common area. There, 24 faces were looking at me. Two women came forward to give me a hug. I cried, feeling a great sorrow.
The group was understanding as they waited for me to compose myself. I looked at them. "We'd like to have Bible study in Merle's honor today if you feel up to it," said one kindly gentleman. He spoke very softly and he looked a bit apologetic.
"We feel terrible about Merle. But just this morning at breakfast she told us we were going to have a good Bible study. She was eager to have it started and we feel like we need to do something. We've cried plenty this morning already. Now we would like to have a study in her honor."
I didn't know what to say. I told them that I felt terrible and that I didn't feel like having a study because it would remind me of Merle, but that at the same time I felt like having a study to honor Merle. I agreed and we started.
It was a good study. We talked about Merle often -- that week and the following weeks. She fit the picture of grace so well. And she seemed to cheer us on even in her absence. She knew where her treasures were.
The group was never static. Several people have gone on to nursing homes, to live with family members, or have died. Several new folks have joined. In that time when I was learning so much, I was able to share with them my frustrations, my joys, my fears, and my victories. The group became my lifeline for a source of honest and wise observations, not only about the Bible but about life in general. I will always treasure the opportunity to meet with them. I will always treasure Merle's memory and her determination to get the group together.
Blessed be Merle's memory.
(from Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit, Series III, Cycle C, Constance Berg [CSS Publishing: Lima, Ohio, 2000]).
**************
StoryShare, August 8, 2010, issue.
Copyright 2010 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to the StoryShare service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons, in worship and classroom settings, in brief devotions, in radio spots, and as newsletter fillers. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to permissions@csspub.com or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
"Confusing Selfishness and Obedience" by Larry Winebrenner
"The Wilderness Journey" by Larry Winebrenner
"Merle's Treasure" by Constance Berg
* * * * * * * * *
Confusing Selfishness and Obedience
Larry Winebrenner
Isaiah 1:1, 10-20
The vision of Isaiah son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah! "What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices?" says the LORD. "I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats. When you come to appear before me, who asked this from your hand? Trample my courts no more; bringing offerings is futile; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and sabbath and calling of convocation -- I cannot endure solemn assemblies with iniquity.
"Your new moons and your appointed festivals my soul hates; they have become a burden to me, I am weary of bearing them. When you stretch out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.
"Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.
"Come now, let us argue it out," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."
Why do you do good? Some might say for a reward. Some might say to avoid punishment. Some, because "That's what I am told to do." Whatever the answer, it is not sufficient.
The fact of the matter is, most people don't even think about it. They just do it because that's what has always been done. Habitual goodness. Ritual goodness.
When Isaiah addresses the people of Israel, he illustrates his concept by pointing at two of the wickedest, if not the two wickedest, cities in history -- Sodom and Gomorrah.
What do you remember about these cities? Probably that they were destroyed by fire and Brimstone. Anything else?
How about their desirability? Recall how Abraham's herders and Lot's men argued at the waterhole?
Get with it here. We're not talking about a pleasant spring of water where the weary traveler could take rest and quench thirst. We're talking about those lakes of water like you saw in cowboy movies where great herds of cattle moved up to slake their thirst. In ancient Bible lands it was humongous flocks of sheep.
You can imagine a genuine western-type feud, sans .44 revolvers, breaking out. Wise old Abraham steps in to pow-wow with his nephew, Lot.
"Look, nephew," he says. "There is no sense in getting a rangeland war started. Look around you. Decide what you like and I'll take what you don't want."
Lot stood on a high hill looking the situation over. He looked to the east and to the west, to the south and to the north. After a careful survey, he chose the most desirable section.
In the direction of Sodom and Gomorrah there were rich fields for the flocks. Water was abundant. There were houses available in the city. He didn't have to live in the desert tents any more.
There was well-organized worship in the cities. The holy days were observed. The designated ritual sacrifices were offered. Oblations were offered. Incense burned.
It was a very desirable area indeed.
So what happened if this were so desirable?
"Your ways are not my ways," says the LORD. "And what you see, I do not see." What Lot saw and what the LORD saw were two different things. Lot saw opportunity; the LORD saw temptation. Lot saw worship; the LORD saw abomination. Lot saw prosperity; the LORD saw disaster. Lot saw a future; the LORD saw destruction. Lot was not to learn about his mistakes until fire and brimstone destroyed everything he had. Even his wife was taken from him by transformation into a pillar of salt.
Some 1,200 or so years later, Isaiah is warning Israel they are about to make a Sodom and Gomorrah mistake. They thought God could be manipulated. If not by magic, then by extravagant gifts.
"Look, LORD, here's a marvelous bull, the best of my herd. And these rams are the king of the flock. I know you're going to enjoy feasting on them LORD, just as I will enjoy the success and prosperity you're going to give me in return."
Of course, Isaiah was teaching people more than two and a half millennia ago. That has no bearing on us. Why, hardly one soul in a million even raises livestock any more. Ask a thousand kids, or even adults, what a slop bucket is. See if they even know it's associated somehow with pigs.
So what does Isaiah have to say to us?
It wouldn't have any relationship to the "Give to the LORD and the LORD'll just give it right back to you," would it?
A "Good church member" recently told me, "I give it now and receive it back the rest of my life." I wish I had possessed some print outs of this passage of scripture at that moment. But would it have made any difference After all, Isaiah lived along, long time ago. Things were so different back then.
What could he have to say that could impact us today?
Anything, you suppose?
The Wilderness Journey
Larry Winebrenner
Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval.
By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going.
By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city that has foundations; whose architect and builder is God.
By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old -- and Sarah herself was barren -- because he considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, "as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore."
All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, the LORD has prepared a city for them.
"... they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return."
Many a parent has felt like pulling out his or her hair -- at least those who have hair -- when for the umpteenth time the kids ask, "Are we there yet?" I know, for as they say, been there/done that.
But even worse was the time our four-year-old daughter was with us as we moved from Florida to Indiana. I was on my way to serve a "student charge." For those unfamiliar with the term, it used to describe an assignment to a church while studying for the ministry. It is true OJT -- on the job training.
The mantra mouthed by our daughter wasn't, "Are we there yet?" It was, "When are we going home?"
The author of Hebrews caught that spirit when observing, "... If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return."
Most kids are optimistic. "Things are going to be great where we're going," most of them generally think.
"Are we there yet?"
There's a joyous anticipation about the destination.
Not all of God's children have had that understanding.
I wonder, for example, if there were those in Abram's caravan leaving the lush valleys and green hills of Haran who asked, "Where in the world are we going? What's wrong with Haran?"
We know that among that Moses-led exodus there were those who dreaded the journey. Time and again they said to Moses, "Did you bring us out into the wilderness to die?"
Many lobbied consistently to return to the slavery that fed them and gave them a modicum of comfort.
But not the faithful.
The Hebrews author specifies Abraham, but makes it clear that the journey did not end with him, but continued on through "descendants [that] were born, 'as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.' All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted" the City of God.
Often ours is a wilderness journey. The oases may be far apart. The trek may be hot and tiring. But what is our destination? The familiar torpid streets we keep glancing back over our left shoulder to see? Or a promised land making us cry, "Are we there yet?"
Larry Winebrenner is now retired and living in Miami Gardens, Florida. He taught for 33 years at Miami-Dade Community College, and served as pastor of churches in Georgia, Florida, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Larry is currently active at First United Methodist Church in downtown Miami, where he leads discussion in an adult fellowship group on Sunday mornings and preaches occasionally. He has authored two college textbooks, written four novels, served as an editor for three newspapers and an academic journal, and contributed articles to several magazines.
Merle's Treasure
Constance Berg
Luke 12:32-40
Merle Kvamme called three times before I could return her call the next day. She wanted to know if I was interested in leading a Bible study at her apartment building. She had tried for several months to get a study going but no one was available. Fifteen people had committed themselves if a leader could be found. They were excited! They didn't care what the topics were; they just wanted to study the Bible.
I was the new lay pastoral assistant at a big church downtown. I was enthusiastic, energetic, and happy to be able to have an instant opportunity of support and friendship. We set up the Bible study to begin in two weeks.
"Good," said Merle. "I bet I'll have more than fifteen there. We don't care what version of the Bible you use, just teach us. We want to learn!"
Merle was a treasure. Her enthusiasm was addictive. Her grace was evident from several phone conversations that followed. I was looking forward to meeting the group.
I felt a little nervous as I prepared. What text should I use? What version of the Bible should I bring? Should we start a series or study one book at a time? So many questions drifted in and out of my thoughts. I settled on a general first topic of how the Bible came to be. I would invite discussion and see where the group would want to go.
Two weeks flew by as I met all kinds of new people from the parish. Young and old, living in town and in the country, new members and staunch pillars of the church. I often said I wished everyone would just wear name tags for the next six months until I could learn the names!
Our first Bible study was fun. Merle met me at the door and embraced me with a bear hug. I followed her to the beautiful common area, decorated in navy, emerald, and burgundy. The room was warm and comfortable; yet there was ample opportunity to have private conversations in the many small sitting areas. Merle took me to the dining room where 24 people sat. We made introductions and Merle gave everyone a pink ribbon with his or her name on it. "It'll help you remember our names," she had said.
I was just about to begin when Merle raised her hand. "Would it be okay if we start with a short prayer? Hank and Mrs. Elias are sick and they'll need our prayers." I asked if there were any other requests and we prayed for those present and absent. What a way to begin the study!
We had a great Bible study. The Methodist, Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Roman Catholic, and Nazarene traditions were represented. These people were neighbors and they kept up a running dialog, timidly challenging and looking for answers.
I left that first meeting filled with wonder at a group so eager to learn, so happy to have a chance to ask questions and discuss. Oh, how I wished the confirmands were as bright-eyed! I left the group, giving them three index cards and the assignment of bringing three topics to class next week of anything they wanted to know about or study in further detail. Every week we would put the cards in a hat and literally choose one topic for the following week. This week we chose "Gracious/Biblical hospitality" as next week's topic.
The week flew by and Thursday arrived once again. I looked forward to the Bible study. I noted that I had to remember to give the group my phone number since it was listed incorrectly in the phone book. I entered the gorgeous lobby and rang the bell.
A young voice answered Merle's phone. I asked her if I could speak with Merle or if she could just buzz me in since I was there for Bible study. She paused for a long time. "I'll buzz you through so you can come up to the apartment," she said. A loud buzz followed and I climbed the grand, circular staircase to the second floor. Merle's apartment was down the hall. As I walked down the hallway, I noticed a "VELKOMMEN" sign at one of the doors. Another had a pretty little wreath with silk greenery and a bird in it. A tiny sign said, "Every birdie welcome." Another door had a small table next to it with a flower pot and an enormous amount of flowers growing in it. I resisted the urge to see if they could possibly be real in such a low-lighted hallway.
I got to Merle's apartment feeling like a nosey neighbor. A young girl of about fifteen answered the door. "Hi, I'm here for Bible study," I said, excited at the thought. "Are you Merle's granddaughter from up north? Merle has shared lots about you and your brother!"
I stopped. I looked a little closer at the girl. She had obviously been crying. She looked up and opened her mouth. She looked at me and began to sob.
I dropped my books and gave her a hug. "What on earth is wrong? Do you need some help? Can I call someone for you? Is Merle okay?" I rambled on in typical fashion. The door opened further and a man came forward, eyes red and spilling over tears. "Merle died this morning. We couldn't reach you, and the church said you were on your way when we called. We're sorry."
I was shocked. How could it be that Merle would die right when her Bible study had finally begun to take shape? I sat down. I couldn't believe it. The red-eyed people looking at me told me this was not a dream.
I stayed with the family for a long while, talking and crying with them. Finally I walked down the hallway and through the common area. There, 24 faces were looking at me. Two women came forward to give me a hug. I cried, feeling a great sorrow.
The group was understanding as they waited for me to compose myself. I looked at them. "We'd like to have Bible study in Merle's honor today if you feel up to it," said one kindly gentleman. He spoke very softly and he looked a bit apologetic.
"We feel terrible about Merle. But just this morning at breakfast she told us we were going to have a good Bible study. She was eager to have it started and we feel like we need to do something. We've cried plenty this morning already. Now we would like to have a study in her honor."
I didn't know what to say. I told them that I felt terrible and that I didn't feel like having a study because it would remind me of Merle, but that at the same time I felt like having a study to honor Merle. I agreed and we started.
It was a good study. We talked about Merle often -- that week and the following weeks. She fit the picture of grace so well. And she seemed to cheer us on even in her absence. She knew where her treasures were.
The group was never static. Several people have gone on to nursing homes, to live with family members, or have died. Several new folks have joined. In that time when I was learning so much, I was able to share with them my frustrations, my joys, my fears, and my victories. The group became my lifeline for a source of honest and wise observations, not only about the Bible but about life in general. I will always treasure the opportunity to meet with them. I will always treasure Merle's memory and her determination to get the group together.
Blessed be Merle's memory.
(from Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit, Series III, Cycle C, Constance Berg [CSS Publishing: Lima, Ohio, 2000]).
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StoryShare, August 8, 2010, issue.
Copyright 2010 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to the StoryShare service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons, in worship and classroom settings, in brief devotions, in radio spots, and as newsletter fillers. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to permissions@csspub.com or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
