Happy Wednesday!

John 21:16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

On Tuesday night at 7:00 we are a divided household. Two of us watch Glee and one of us watches NCIS and one of us is at handbell practice. I am not overly fond of Glee, but it has the finest singing on TV and presented a most interesting topic last night.

Most of the time the storyline revolves around teen drama, but on this week’s episode the topic was spirituality. It all began with one of the members of the Glee show choir whose father had a heart attack and went into a coma. The character of Kurt was portrayed as a gay teenager. Kurt had previously lost his mother in death, so it was just he and his dad. As his choir friends attempted to rally around him and give him comfort he pushed them away. Kurt stated very plainly that he did not believe in God and that he would not go to church because churches did not like gay people.

Several of his friends professed their belief in God. Kurt was grieving and pushed his friends away even when they went to the hospital to pray for his father. Kurt ordered his friends from the room. Kurt decided to walk this path of sadness alone.

As Christians we know that we are not meant to walk this life alone. God created and chose us to be His children. And each day we choose God right back. God is with us in the darkest, saddest places of our souls. God rejoices with us in the greatest joys we experience and faithfully walks with us when we must stay the course. God is the head of this family of children and calls each one of us to carry each other’s burdens and share in each other’s joys.

Back to the story. The most profound moment in the Glee episode happened when Mercedes, the overweight, African American teenager, invites Kurt to her church on Sunday and does not take no for an answer. Kurt arrives in church and takes his seat in a pew. Mercedes takes her place on the chancel area surrounded by this amazing gospel choir and sings “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Even as powerful as this music was that was not the most profound moment. As Kurt sat listening to the words of the song the final verse was being sung and the church stood up. Kurt remained seated until this elder woman took Kurt by the hand and lifted him to his feet. It was just a moment, but what a profound moment. In that simple gesture she brought Kurt into the family and let him know he was not alone and did not have to go through this by himself.

If we keep our eyes open to God’s work around us, we are bound to find those who are hurting, grieving or lost – brothers and sisters in Christ who may feel that they are not worthy of the love of our Father. They are people deeply in need of being lifted up and restored to their place in God’s kingdom. Let your hands be God’s as you reach out and offer to lift them up. We are called to do that very act each day. We are called to lift one another up. We are called to be a family and to care for one another.

Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. Let us continue to pray for each other daily. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.