Then The People Rejoiced

 

 

Wednesday, April 5: 5and for all the work to be done by artisans, gold for the things of gold and silver for the things of silver. Who then will offer willingly, consecrating themselves today to the Lord?” … 9Then the people rejoiced because these had given willingly, for with single mind they had offered freely to the Lord; King David also rejoiced greatly.

1 Chronicles 29:5,9

 

 

King David worried. As his reign neared its end, David could not gather enough materials for the Temple. The Lord had commanded David to prepare for the construction of the Temple, but the king despaired of collecting everything his son, Solomon, would need.

 

Then the people heard the call. They happily gave so that the Lord’s command would be obeyed. Then the king and the people rejoiced.

 

Richard died on Tuesday. You do not know him, but he was a fine man. He loved to carve wood and his home is filled with the handwork of a lifetime. Richard and Mim, his wife, raised two sons, Rick and Craig. Craig was born with disabilities and will never live on his own, but they kept him at home until their health began to fade when they reached their eighties.

 

Richard once told me some of his happiest memories were from the Sixties. To build a church, the congregation he belonged to bought loads of used bricks. The men would chip away the old mortar and use them to build the walls of the sanctuary. He and his Pastor would talk as they chipped away at the bricks. And they held those moments in their hearts as precious.

 

Mim died a year ago. Richard was lonely.  He tried getting a dog, but he could not keep it. He did not get out much anymore. Then, last week, he had a massive stroke. His son Rick was with him and stood vigil for the last few days. 

 

Today, as Lent draws to a close, don’t think about the worried King David. Instead think about all those other people whose names we do not know, who gave freely to build the Temple. Today, as we prepare for Easter and the promise of the empty tomb, think about Richard and his Mim, think about his joy at building a church at the Jersey Shore half a century ago. Ask if you can give as much and can rejoice as well.

 

Lord,

Your servant Richard is asleep,

Grant him the reward of your Kingdom

Reunite him with all those he loved and with Your servants who still wander in this dark world. Give Richard’s sons peace in their mourning, certain that their parents followed your Son in this life.

Give me the chance to build your Temple so that I may also rejoice.

Amen

 

Dennis Blazak

joyjoywrld57@msn.com