Crisis Moments and Sabbath

I recognized the sad tone in my mother's voice when she called last week - it had to be bad news - someone had died. She called to inform me that my niece's husband, age 38, was killed in a motorcycle accident. He leaves behind a devoted wife and two teenagers. I missed two days of the last week of classes to drive to the funeral in Conroe, Texas. The Monday before, my sister-in-law, had a double mastectomy. The day I was leaving for Texas, my sister's father-in-law passed away. Legal and theological questions and family related issues have abounded. These crisis moments, combined with my lack of energy and motivation, reminded me how important it is to have margins in my life, that is, regular sabbath times of renewal. In the midst of all this, my daughter and I have built a small raised garden bed, about 4 feet x 4 feet square. We have planted strawberry plants, pepper plants, squash, and broccoli. The hot, dry weather almost did them in while I was gone to Texas. None of my family members remembered to water them while I was gone to Texas. When I got home, they looked pretty sad: wilted and fallen over. Kinda like I felt after 16-17 hours being on the road for two days. I watered them hoping for the best and lo and behold, they looked great the next day: perky and standing straight. Death is mostly an unwelcome reminder of the fragility of life in this fallen world. But it has caused me to slow down and be more involved with my loved ones and to tell them how much I love them. "As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after thee. You alone are my heart's desire and I long to worhsip thee." Oh Lord, that you might make it so in my life!