Among those of who patiently tolerated scrolling through the pic barrage of Ellen and my Hawaiian Vacation someone inquired, “What did you enjoy most about Hawaii?” … a totally unfair question … but I’ll mark my favorite:
X Splashing with sea turtles in the ocean
X Savoring a hot cup of Kona Coffee
X Viewing volcanic steam vents on the caldera rim of Kilauea volcano
X Shivering in shorts at 10,000 ft. on Mauna Kea
X Warming my toes in the sands of Black Sands Beach
X Watching the fury of pounding surf
X Feeling the mist from cascading Rainbow Falls on my face
X Sharing a glorious ocean sunset together with my wife (I’d better include that one😊)
X Etc., etc., etc. . . . it was all good!
However, of all these amazing things, there was one special moment that touched my soul.
Palm Sunday arrived in bathed in sunshine. An internet search led us to Kona Community Church. A small, outdoor, non-denominal church with inspiring praise music and message delivered by a motivated Hawaiian pastor. We were blessed by the service and friendly people. However, it was during the greeting we received from two young Hawaiians that a precious ‘thin space’ moment … where suddenly eternity seems to invade time, and heaven touches earth … occurred.
A custom of Kona Community Church is to present each visitor a traditional Hawaiian lei garland symbolizing love, respect and Aloha. As a young woman placed the lei over Ellen’s head, her husband placed one over mine. Ellen’s lei had a small card attached that read, “Abundance”.
“The Goodness of God” is one of my favorite Christian praise songs. It’s opening stanza testifies to my life …
“I love you Lord, for your mercy never fails me,
All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands.
From the moment that I wake up,
Until I lay my head,
I will sing of the goodness of God.”
One of my favorite Bible passages testifying to my life is found in Lamentations 3, verses 22-23:
“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning.
Great is your faithfulness.”
Here’s a picture of the lei and card the young man placed over my head … and a precious ‘thin space’ moment touched my soul . . . Thank you Lord!
I am truly wonderfully and mercifully blessed! … May you be too.
Keep Looking Up ^ . . . His Best is Yet to Come!
Abba's Art 
Leave a comment