Sacramental Living

“Because we have food,” said Eliot, my three-year old.

Just prior he had said, “We are the church.”

“Why?” I asked.

“Because we have food.”

My wife and I just stared at each other and smiled.  After a moment pregnant with meaning, awe, wonder, I said to Heather, “Something profound was just going on there.”

She nodded in agreement.

Somehow, Eliot is getting it … even at 3 years old.

We are always stressing to him the difference between the church building and the church.  He knows when we gather for worship it is at the church building.  And he is recognizing that the church is people.  More than that, the church is people with relationships who gather around a meal to talk and listen, share stories, and share nourishing resources.

I know he’s not talking about a “potluck” because he just hasn’t experienced many of those.  And when he does, it’s usually outside the church building, in a picnic pavilion.

Wisdom from a child … it’s pretty cool.  Of course, Jesus did say that we must become like them … like Eliot … to experience the kingdom of God.

Today around our family lunch table, we experienced the reality of God’s kingdom, presence, and reality breaking into the ordinary.  The pedestrian meal became a sublime feast.  We experienced communion.  We are the church.

SO TELL ME SOMETHING:
How are children around you showing you Jesus?

——

Brian Niece
www.brianniece.com
If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS.

My friend, Chuck, died Thursday night.

Chuck was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just a few short weeks ago.  He went through a succesful surgery, which I sat through with him.  He had been released from the hospital just a few days ago.

Something happened with his heart and the blood thinners he was on.  He just couldn’t make it.

I’m surprised.

You see, Chuck was 71 years old, but as his surgeon told me upon the completion of his operation, “Chuck had the insides of a 30-year old.”  That means he was healthier and in better shape than me!

Chuck worked out a couple hours everyday and rode his bike about 20 miles.  Chuck was our primary drummer for worship gatherings.  I was the backup.  The only reason I was even playing drums at all was because Chuck inspired me to pick up my sticks again after 20 years of not playing.  And my 3-year old, Eliot, loves playing drums because of “Mr. Chuck.”

Chuck inspired me in a lot of ways.  Though on in years, he was open to anything.  Though used to a large-church setting, he loved our little community of faith.  Chuck’s wife has been battling terminal cancer (the “no use going through chemotherapy kind”) for several years.  We all thought Chuck would outlive her.  Chuck cared for her with the meticulous care of a bedside nurse.  He was a hero.  I realized that as I held his wife’s hands and prayed with her over Chuck’s lifeless body.  I heard her say, “You were my angel.”  And he was.

That’s probably why I spent a whole day driving him to Savannah for his operation and staying through it.  That’s probably why I visited him a few days after and stayed for several hours.  That’s probably why I shaved him and helped bathe him while he was in hospital.

He had done so much for his wife, and me, and others … how could I not be a servant for him?

I saw Jesus in Chuck.  And because Jesus is resurrected I not only know that Chuck and I will play drums together again, and Chuck will workout again, and Chuck will ride his bike again … I also know I must serve others the way Chuck served his wife, and me, and …

I must serve here and now, because God’s kingdom has been inaugurated.  I know that because I’ve known Chuck.

For me and my family, a little rhythm has gone away with Chuck’s passing.  It’s a rhythm that we will need to step into.  A rhythm that we should now pick up for Chuck, as we serve others in Jesus’ name … just like Chuck did.

SO TELL ME SOMETHING:
Who is a “Chuck” in your life?

——

Brian Niece
www.brianniece.com
If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS.