My family and I returned yesterday from my mother-in-law’s funeral in Chambersburg, PA. Julia Arlene Skelly died last week at 84 years old. She quietly touched many, many lives. We heard stories of her kindness, compassion and patience from neighbors, family and friends this weekend. We recalled and shared our own stories of how Julia touched our lives. She lived long and well and rests now in God’s grace and love.

As Easter approaches, as we think about life and death and resurrection, it all feels particularly real for me. Death and pain and brokenness are all around, yet God’s kindness, compassion and patience surfaces in the lives of people we encounter. Julia reflected and shared God’s love for the world for me. Countless people reflect and share God’s love for us. We also have the opportunity to live in ways that share the love of God in our words and actions. In the face of struggle, of pain and even of death, God’s love fills us and surrounds us, and defeats death. –ara

God of life,

Thank you for the people most dear to me.

Those who are patient with my failings.

Those who live kindness and welcome.

Those who love me, even though they know me too well.

Thank you for the people I hardly know, who still live compassion and your love.

Help me to live in ways that show your love to the people I encounter.

Guide me to be your presence in the world, too.

Amen