In this Issue:

Sauls Nominated for Presiding Bishop

St. Martha's and Martha's Place: A commitment to service

Internationally known author and teacher Newell to be in Lexington

A conversation with the Bishop on his nomination for Presiding Bishop

Commentaries:

Reflection: Miss Della and the Palm Crosses

X-ercizing: Undone

From the Bishop: Anticipation of Easter

Diocesan Calendar

Past Issues

X-ercizing: Undone

By Steve Gösser Walton

It had started out as one of those wonderful Spring Sunday afternoons. A great church service, a brief drive in the country, lunch with friends, and lots of great conversation. There was even a boat ride. More conversation and laughing. The lengthened days (thanks to daylight-saving time) caused time to just slip casually by. And then lunch with friends turned into dinner with friends.

As evening came on the weather changed. A spring thunderstorm rolled in. Thunderstorm warnings turned into a tornado warning. People at the restaurant became nervous.

The table next to us decided to leave and get home. The proprietor was on the front porch “watching.” The television was on and reports were being conveyed to us. One of our group went and checked out the TV to report back that it was looking bad. Another went out to the porch to also report back that it was looking bad. Jessica looked out the window to report back that it was looking bad. I sat and ate.

The salmon was cooked perfectly. Slightly rare on the inside. It was probably the best salmon I have ever had. The crispy capers on top were a great touch.

The coat closet was being evaluated as a refuge. Could we all fit? Should the coats be removed now? The folks who had decided to leave and try and get home had changed there minds and thought it best to “weather” the storm at the restaurant. The sky got darker, the wind picked up, the rain fell horizontally. The report told of the storm coming down the road straight toward us. We ate faster.

I was sure at any minute we would be sent into the coat closet. I never felt nervous or scared; only concerned with my salmon.

Things turned out fine — for us.

Though, just down the road things were not so fine for some. Roofs were blown off, and other wind damage was experienced.

Another storm was reported to be coming soon; we all headed to our homes.

In the car on the way home we talked about our response (or lack thereof) to the storm.

Only in hindsight did we see the potential danger. The “What if?” of the situation sank in.

My biggest concern involved my unmade bed. We had left the house in such a hurry that morning the bed didn’t get made. And I thought there may be dirty dishes in the sink. What if something HAD happened? People would think we didn’t make our bed — EVER.

Those were my thoughts on the drive home. I was grateful, for sure. Thankfully, I had been spared and no one would be the wiser about my untidied home.

On the drive I remembered some friends of ours recently went on a trip abroad and who each wrote a Last Will and Testament before leaving. As we got home I began thinking about how serious things could have been.

Now just a few days later the line from the Confessional keeps playing in my head. “Forgive us for the things that we have done...” And this is the part I think most about “...and the things we have left undone.”

This is where the trivia falls away. Unmade beds and dirty dishes in the sink mean nothing.

When I take a serious look at my life I have few regrets. I don’t regret the mistakes I made (I learned from most of them). The things I regret are the things I didn’t do.

I regret the good I could have done if only I had tried. I regret the help I could have given if I had only taken the time. I regret the kind words I never said, the hand I never offered, the smile I refused, the sorrows I ignored, the causes I mocked, the battles for justice I never waged, the letter writing campaigns I never lifted a pen for, the pickets I never picked, the concerns of others I dismissed, the thanksgivings I never said, the blessings I never acknowledged...

As Good Friday approaches I feel it is time to give myself a good once over. Examine Steve really well. It doesn’t feel good to look at one’s self in such a way. It sort of hurts my feelings. I feel disappointed and ashamed. I feel like Easter is way beyond me.

At this moment I am VERY aware of who I am. I see clearly the things I have done and left undone. I feel “heartily sorry for these my misdoings.”

But Easter comes anyway. The storm passes and it again is bright outside.

The bells ring with the knowledge that Love is still alive. Hope has survived the night. And Light shines bright in the world again, still, and forever.

“Dear Lord, help me to do that which I have left undone. Amen”

Steve can be reached at xersizing@yahoo.com

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