Running

The couple came through the door of Triassic Winery last Sunday afternoon. I gave them some time to settle at a nearby table, then walked over to chat with them.

"We are from Burbank, were choking on smoke from the fire above us, started driving and here we are.  ...and there's even music!"

"Hello. Take a deep breath of fresh air, relax and tell me what songs you would like to hear."

"We're Lutherans. Do you know any Lutheran  hymns?"

 "Sure. Name one."

 "Would you happen to know 'Beautiful Savior' "?.

I played it,  they hummed and listened to more music for an hour or so before leaving with a smile on their faces and a wave goodbye.

So many are running. ...from fires, winds, floods, earthquakes, life,  death and God. After listening to the disheartening news on TV last night I needed some fresh air. The full moon was edging up over the mountain to the east. The crickets were cricketing, the donkey down below was braying his nighttime lament and above, a few fluffy clouds were lazing about. Gradually, our never-changing, personal Lord came into focus.

As I wrote this just now, the awaited phone call came:  A few minutes ago, Char, my oldest friend of fifty-seven years slipped into the arms of our

          BEAUTIFUL SAVIOR

Beautiful Savior; King of creation.
Son of God and Son of Man
Truly I'd love Thee; Truly I'd serve Thee,
Light of my soul, my joy and crown.

Fair are the meadows; Fair are the woodlands.
Robed in flowers of blooming spring.
Jesus is fairer; Jesus is purer;
He makes our sorrowing spirit sing!

Fair is the sunshine. Fair is the moonlight.
Bright the sparkling stars on high.
Jesus is brighter; Jesus is purer
Than all the angels in the sky. 

Beautiful Savior; Lord of the nations;
Son of God and Son of man. 
Glory and honor, praise, adoration
Now and forevermore, be Thine.  Psalm 45:2

                                The Lutheran Hymnal
                                Author Unknown
                                Published in Leipzig in 1677
                                Translated in 1873
Love,  Jo