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Well, Texas Rangers fans are all excited as I write this – the World Series is close with the Rangers leading with three games to two for St. Louis. Soon the resolution will be clear with one side excitedly celebrating, while the other grumbles about waiting until next year!
Children have their own excitement to anticipate – Halloween draws ever closer with promises of candy and scary moments -- safe moments but a little scary most hope. Others look for a Fall Festival or school carnival or perhaps “Trunk or Treat” to keep them busy. Emotions generally run high with squeals of mock fear and excitement and often time a serious sugar rush from all the candy.
November 2, a few of our neighbors from South of the Rio Grande will similarly celebrate the Day of the Dead with all the excitement and emotion it brings.
On November 6 in Sunday morning Church (and perhaps November 1 for precision) we will mark All Saints Day. This too, though more reserved because it is in Sunday worship, can still bring out emotions as we remember departed loved ones. Though we can confess that they rest safely in the Lord’s care, we can still think of treasured memories, unresolved issues, and our own sense of loss of their company. And God’s promise that guarantees them a saintly rest comforts us in our sorrows and reminds us of the Lord’s divine provision for our needs. Such care may not produce immediate squeals of excitement, but our emotional needs can be met by the Lord. God is not just about theology and stoic resolution, the Lord comes as we have need.
Then towards the end of the month emotions can run high yet again. Many families and groups of friends are already starting to plan for Thanksgiving gatherings with assignments specifically being made. (I know I am required to produce two pumpkin pies and two pecan pies!) Yet, emotions can run high with the calories piled on from sugar and carbs and that “trip…” checmical that supposedly is in turkey. But for many, emotions run high as folks remember losses since that last gathering or people who will be there who bring joy as well as a few unresolved issues. And just as the Lord comforts us in our All Saints’ losses, this same God comes to give us strength to handle whatever comes – joys, sorrows, losses, new and renewed relationships, pauses of reflection, and moments of emotional outbursts. Thanks be to God that we have a Lord who makes all life’s journeys with us!
