Blowing Bubbles

The Spirit Blows in.

Wearing red to Church this Sunday was how many Christians participated in the celebration of Pentecost. In the message of Christ this is when the Holy Spirit showed up and showed up big time.
It is told in the New Testament book Acts and specifically in Chapter 2. At our Church Sunday, Associate Pastor Barbara Hatchell preached her sermon "A Mighty Wind Blows". It was a moving message as the Spirit moves but more so because Barara will be retiring in a few weeks.  Deeply Loved as she is by so many it is a sad transition at the same time as it is a happy occassion.

During Children's Moments Pastor Barbera gathered the children and then blew bubbles with them to help illustrate and teach about the Holy Spirit and how it comes as if by a breath from God.

"The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear it's sounds, but cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the spirit."  John 3:8

And thought I would share some more about all things bubbles:

                                          Bubble Bath

 

                                    Drawing the hot water

As frothy peaks and valleys

Sway with the waves

 then two bodies sink

bent knees and tangled legs

resting in the warmth

all inhibitions melting away.

 

A long lovely day ending

With two glistening smiles

Caressing joviality and

Feminine fragrance flowing

Above and below the surface.

 

Gently rocking emotion swells

Across the boundaries diminishing

As love in proper practice

Spills over into the

Cracks and crevices of

Our vulnerabilities

And makes an indelible mark

On our soul.

 

Bradford Bosworth

May 2015

 

 

 

 

 



Every Passing Season

The Blind Barber, Gatekeeper Guide and "Miss Evie"

We travel through this world and along the journey we have so many encounters with others over a lifetime the faces blur. The voices fade. If our eyes are open and we are aware and awakened we will begin to notice the ones our Creator places in our path as guides and teachers. I have come to believe we can learn from all who we meet if our hearts are open and sprinkled with the fertile water of willingness.

In the recent years I have had the blessed occasions of exchange with three folks who in the past few weeks have found their ageing bodies failing them. The past two days off have found me visiting my next door neighbor, "Miss Evie" in her - end of days- at Tranquility Cobb Hospice. A long life at 82 years is wearing on for her. Over the past couple years we have had nice visits and I have learned of her family. She loves freshly grilled cheeseburgers. And although pizza was not kind to her frail digestive track her cravings would have her order delivery.  I would always get a call that she could not finish it and needed me to help.

During these times I learned about her children. At the Hospice yesterday I met the whole group of siblings.  We all held hands and prayed. God Bless you "Miss Evie".

Today I traveled to Piedmont Hospital to visit my friend Warren and his wife and caretaker Brenda.
Warren has been in a struggle for almost six months. His bone skeleture is failing his body. Bones are braking and it is immobilizing and painful. Warren was my first Sponsor into a fellowship of broken men.  On my journey of spiritual healing he has been the Gatekeeper Guide during the initial -feeling my way - stages of growth.  Since giving is never a one way process what I received from him I was able to return this morning - at least a little bit anyway.

I mentioned to Brenda and Warren that I was going to get my haircut by The Blind Barber and they knew exactly who I was talking about. Remarkably Brenda's late father used to get his hair cut by Max. Of course Blind is an exaggeration but not much.  I could not help but go to Max for my hair cut. His small Smyrna, Georgia shop is the classic Barber Shop.  From the first time going there I knew it was a dangered species. Three chairs only one of which was used: Max's chair. This gentle little man is the Rockwellesque picture of humble, meek and God fearing.  He would cut your hair for ten dollars. No plastic and if you did not have the cash well just pay him the next time you are in.

These virtues and values of Americana are slowly fading out of season.  Each instance of loss is a sobering trial of spiritual strength to the ones who wonder if the underlying truths and values will spring forth and manifest again. But by Faith we know: "To Everything there is a Season......." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

Bradford Bosworth
May 2015