This past month was the first month, in over a year, that I was able to make an "in-person" pastoral visit to a church member in a hospital.  Getting in to see her did have some challenges:   I had to:  1.  have my temperature taken; 2. wear a mask, 3.  make sure there was only one visitor in the room at a time, and 4. restrict my visit to designated floors (some are still reserved for active covid-19 patients).  Still, I was able to see "face to face" a lady who had undergone a serious colon surgery.  I was able to be present with her, encourage her, and share in prayer with her.  It was, in some ways, a small step but still a significant one and definitely a sign that our land is beginning to heal...

Today is Easter Sunday.  For many, it will be a wonderful day of worship and fellowship with friends and family.  In anticipation of our grandchildren arriving this afternoon, one of my Good Friday goals was to mow the backyard.  (Get it in shape for a big Easter egg hunt). But about half way through the project the unthinkable happened:  the front wheel came off of my riding mower.  The "pin" holding it in place had snapped and wheel came completely off.  Fortunately, a friend came to rescue me.  The same thing had happened to one of his tractors and he knew exactly what to do.  In short order, he had me "up and mowing" once again.  But sometimes, things aren't that easily repaired.  Sometimes when "the wheels come of" we are faced with a true crisis...