ACKNOWLEDGING APRIL 3, 1953

 

A Good Day to Die

by Lola Rice Cain

 

It was a good day to die

Spring had just brought new life:

Trees were leafing out

Birds were singing

The grass was green

And hope for new beginnings was alive

But not for her

 

It was a good day to die

Life for her had lost meaning

She was unable to see her purpose

She gave up on life prematurely

And in choosing death she gave up on herself

And on my siblings and me

She chose that day as her goodbye

 

It was a good day to die

A day that poured pain into many lives

A day that left sorrow in its wake

A day that would never be forgotten

A day that ended her personal losses

And became the start of ours

A self-absorbed day that is cemented in memory

 

But for her it was apparently a good day to die

And the fallout of her choice?

We’ve become more resilient

We are more tolerant and stronger

Than we would have been

Had we never endured that pain

Still, for us, it was not a good day for her to die

 

 

Written October 31, 2021 in memory of Nellie Nina Scott Rice, mother to Duane, Ken, Lola, and Gary, who committed suicide April 3, 1953, at the age of 37.  Forever missed.  Forever in our hearts.  Forever loved.

 

 

GRIEF

Lola Rice Cain

 

Grief is love poured out as the final act of care

It washes over me in unwelcome waves of sorrow

Subsides momentarily, then blindsides me again and again,

Mercilessly hammering at my consciousness

And intruding into my attempts at slumber.

 

Grief is love in its final earthly form

A painful reenactment of all that came before

It oozes through my every pore

And is the assailant at my heart’s door

It refuses to disappear, but is slowly being subdued.

 

Grief is love unleashed in ways I could never have conceived

And I must allow it its time as there is a time to grieve

Even so, as it flows in and out of my awareness

I find respite in memories that make their way

Through the fog of the pain – and I will live to love. 

 

(Written November 28, 2021) 

Usually my remembrance day of my bio mother's death is limited to April 3. I do not recall what was happening in 2021 that made it pour over, but the October 31 poem makes me think that the November 28 poem was likely connected, but most likely connected to another death that triggered the memory.

THURSDAY, DAY 26 OF LENT 2025

 John 14:12-14 (CSB) states, 

¹² “Truly I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. ¹³ Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

This is, quite honestly, a passage I trip over. I absolutely do believe that Christ's followers can and do make a huge difference in the world, and that God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, gives many amazing gifts to believers, which are being used for God's glory. 

I also believe that the word translated 'greater' might mislead us - that 'more' might be a better word, with my rationale being that since Jesus returned to the Father, he sent the Holy Spirit, who can be everywhere at once, using many people simultaneously to do God's work on earth. It could also apply to the reality that we have many more years collectively and that God's miraculous works performed in the world through the power of the Holy Spirit - using humans as vessels through whom many of those miracles are made evident - would be 'more.' That would make sense to me.   

In past consideration of this passage, I have wondered if the ''whatever you ask in my name" was conditional on it being something God wanted to do, and allowed a human vessel to participate in so that person could feel used by God. 

I know God performs amazing miracles - but certainly not every time it is believed for and prayed for, so the 'whatever' throws me. Just being transparent! 

It is also worth noting since I am grappling with this again today, that verse 14 is not included in many of the manuscripts, which means it was likely added by a Scribe somewhere along the way who just wanted to reinforce the prior sentence. It doesn't change what was stated - but it is interesting to pay attention to those tidbits in our studying.

I will end with a story:

Years ago, in Montesano, when I attended the Montesano Presbyterian Church, the Lord gave me a very deep burden for a man in our church. He had just had a heart attack and I prayed diligently for him that he would be healed. A few days later the burden lifted, and I thanked God, believing that the burden lifting meant that the man was healed and would be okay. 

I was shocked to learn that at the time the burden lifted the man died. I was furious with God! I asked him, "Why did you take away the burden if he was not healed?" And God replied, "Death in this life is perfect healing."

He was right. The man was healed - just not the way I expected. Not the way I was praying for. When I feel a burden for someone I remember that lesson. I even told a friend not long ago, "I may not be the one you want praying for you, given my track record!" 

This passage leads me to a bit of a bunny trail and brings me to the bottom line of my faith. Do I trust God even when I don't understand? Yes! Do I believe he is with me through everything? Yes! Do I trust his timing? Even though I don't always appreciate it or understand it, yes! My times are in his hands. So are yours if you've placed your trust in him. We live under his care, and though we don't know the expiration date that is 'invisibly stamped on the bottom of our foot' (as I say), we can trust that God knows, and that we will not leave this earth one day sooner - and when we do have the joy of leaving we will wonder why we wanted so badly to stay!

Back on topic: I believe in God. I believe in miracles. I believe he guides, directs, and nudges us to do his will. I believe if he wants to do a miracle and chooses a human vessel to pray for it, he is the one doing the work, through the power of the Holy Spirit, and God is the one who receives the honor and glory. 

Thank you, Lord, for being a very present God in the lives of those who trust in you!

WEDNESDAY, DAY 25 OF LENT 2025

John 14:1-11 Christian Standard Bible. (My go to is usually the ESV.)

The words leap off the page as I read them, "Don't let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me." And then Jesus tells them he is going away to prepare a place for them, and that he will return to get them so they can be where he is - and he says, "You know the way to where I am going."

Thomas challenges that, saying, "We don't know where you are going. How can we know the way?"

Jesus reply to Thomas was, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." And then he proclaims, "If you know me, you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him."

Next Philip speaks up, "Lord, show us the Father, and that's enough for us."

And Jesus replies, "Have I been among you all this time and you do not know me, Philip? The one who has seen me has seen the Father...." 

 

Jesus was fully God and fully human. He was the only person of the Trinity who had a physical body, and as such was the only visible appearance of God. Jesus was there at creation in his pre-incarnate state as part of the Triune Godhead, and he became God incarnate when he was born to the virgin, Mary. He lived a perfect life for 33 years, and now he is trying to prepare his disciples for his exit. He is sharing final urgent messages as part of that exit strategy. Exit words of significant importance.  

He clearly tells them that in seeing him they have seen God, which means he is God, but also that he is the only way to God. He talks about his Father, and that they are inseparably joined when he declares, "I am in the Father and the Father is in me." (verses 10 & 11)

Lord, open people's eyes to see you! We need you now, in this crazy world that is plummeting into the abyss. Lord, give us ears to hear, wisdom to understand, and the determination to follow you closely through these troubled times. You alone are TRUTH. You alone are THE WAY. You alone offer us ETERNAL LIFE. Lord, incline hearts to YOU! Amen.

 

 

TUESDAY, DAY 24 OF LENT 2025 (Also April Fools' Day this year)

We begin with John 13:21 today, but in my reading I cannot help that notice a sub-theme: Jesus knew! Jesus knew (13:1) his hour had come. Jesus knew (13:18-27) that Judas was going to betray him. Jesus knew (13:38) that Peter would deny him.

He also knew that Judas, who was obsessed with money, would be paid 30 pieces of silver and then take his own life. And, in stark contrast, that Peter would come back to absolute faith and belief in his Savior, and dedicate his life to serving the Lord, and ultimately die a cruel death. 

Jesus knows. He knows the challenges we will face - and that in facing challenges we can actually become stronger than we ever thought possible. We have a choice. When we falter or fail, we can either give up permanently, or we can run back to Jesus' loving arms, ask and receive his forgiveness, and become encouragers to others who are struggling. 

In John 13:34 Jesus gives his disciples - and by extension, us - a new command:

"...Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

I am aware that there are multiple words that were translated "love" and I was curious to know which one this is. In the process I found yet another word! And I learned that even my basic understanding of various words that are translated as "love" are based on Greek, not Hebrew. 

I love to learn new things! Because the word in Hebrew is written in figures instead of using a familiar-looking alphabet, the word will be written in English differently depending on who the interpreter is, but on Bible Hub, the spelling used is 'agapate', translated "you should love." This type of love is a moral mandate to care for each other. It is action, not emotion. It is putting others needs on the same level as our own, looking out for others' interests, not just our own. Seeing a need, filling that need. 

Needs are not merely financial, though too  often we equate need with financial struggle, but someone can be wealthy and have emotional, physical, or spiritual needs, and 'need' to have others come alongside. Being sensitive to when that is the case is an alert provided by the Holy Spirit. Love one another! It doesn't sound optional, does it? 

Jesus needed that love from Peter, but in Jesus' deepest pain, Peter denied and deserted him. Thank God that is not the end of Peter's story - and thank God, that when I have failed miserably, it was not the end of my story either. Thank you, Lord, for your amazing grace!

 

 

MONDAY, DAY 23 OF LENT 2025

John 13:1-20

Happy Monday! That is not an oxymoron! 

Because of where we are in the book of John, we will be considering events in 2025 ahead of their parallel time for +-33 A D. Today we review Jesus' washing the disciples feet. It was a teaching tool for him - and an object lesson for what he wanted them to learn most about being his follower and future leaders.

Jesus and his disciples are having what will later be referred to as "The Last Supper" and Jesus chose that timing to wash his disciples' feet. It was customary for a host to provide water and a towel to rinse off visitor's feet before they entered his/her home. That courtesy was usually done by a household servant. At this final Passover supper Jesus and his disciples were gathered in a borrowed room, and I am assuming that instead of one of the disciples taking that role, Jesus did. 

It was only in that setting that he could model what it meant to have humility and serve. I love this picture. He, fully God, took off his outer garment, knelt at each disciples' feet - even at the feet of Judas Iscariot - and washed each man's feet with water and then dried their feet with a towel. Initially Peter protested, but Jesus' response made him quickly reconsider. He truly wanted all Jesus had to offer. He just felt unworthy to have the Master be in a servant's role. 

That was the point. He, Jesus - Rabbi, Master, Lord, One with God - took on the role of a servant to show them the way to be a leader. It is through service. No one will ever be better than the Master. We are to mimic his model. This is a really powerful passage. Another building block to build our life on.

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT 2025

A college friend I am in a group chat with shared a wonderful old song on our queue this morning I had a different song in mind for today - but I am going to use the one she brought to the group's attention.

HE GIVETH MORE GRACE by Annie Johnson Flint, 1941

 

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater

He sendeth more strength when the labors increase

To added affliction He addeth His mercy

To multiplied trials, His multiplied Peace

 

Refrain:

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure

His power has no boundary known unto men

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again

 

When we have exhausted our store of endurance

When our strength has failed ere the day is half done

When we reach the end of our hoarded resources

Our Father’s full giving is only begun

 

Refrain:

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure

His power has no boundary known unto men

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again

 

And a 3^rd verse I had never heard before, but found when I was researching the author online:

Fear not that Thy need shall exceed His provision

Our God ever yearns His resources to share

Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing

The Father both thee and thy load will upbear

 

Refrain:

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure

His power has no boundary known unto men

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again

___________________________________

And as radio personality Paul Harvey used to say,  "Now for the rest of the story...."

 

Annie Johnson was born on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1866. in Vineland, New Jersey. 3 years later, little Annie lost her mother, who died as she gave birth to Annie's little sister. Her father had an incurable disease, and willed his children to the Flint family, who brought the girls up in the Baptist faith. Annie was saved in a Revival Meeting when she was 8 years old, and online there is a list of 17 songs that she wrote, with HE GIVETH MORE GRACE being the only one familiar to me. (Of the 17 songs she authored, 2 were in Spanish, and one was in Chinese.) She will not know until Heaven how her song touched others over a span of many years. 

 

That is food for thought! Neither will we. 

 

For example, one Sunday School teacher influenced Billy Graham. Every person who followed Jesus  because of his ministry is a credit to her faithfulness. 

 

Being faithful in the face of challenge is what faith is all about. It's easy to have faith when everything is going smoothly. True faith is where the rubber hits the road, and we have to stand for what we believe in the face of challenges. And like the song so aptly encapsulates, God is with us in those times. He promised!

 

 

 

SATURDAY, DAY 22 OF LENT 2025

 John 12:44-50 ESV

⁴⁴ And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. ⁴⁵ And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. ⁴⁶ I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. ⁴⁷ If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. ⁴⁸ The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. ⁴⁹ For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. ⁵⁰ And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”

These verses reiterate what John declared about Jesus in John 3:16-19 ESV:

¹⁶ “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. ¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. ¹⁹ And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil...."

The message is plain. Those who believe in Jesus believe in God. Jesus is the light that dispels darkness. Jesus came to save the world, not to judge the world. Those who reject Jesus have chosen their own judgment. 

Jesus is the Light of the World. He dispels darkness. Those who choose him do not walk in darkness. 

The most important decision anyone will ever make is whether or not they choose Jesus! It is an eternal choice. 

I am praying for opportunities to introduce him to those who are hungry to hear that he loved them so much he came to die to pay the price for their sins and be the Light for their lives,