Quiet Cove

Today I gathered with my sisters in a quiet cove besides the Hudson River. Seven of us sat around a picnic table under a shade tree by the water to celebrate Bisi’s birthday. Her 16 year old daughter joined us. (Gives you a hint about her age.) Donna prayed a beautiful blessing for Bisi and for the food. Donna brought grilled chicken and taco salad. That was one good (and big) salad and we cleaned it out. I hauled potato salad up on the train. The birthday cake consisted of boughten cookies.

The scene of the river and hills, green lawn and trees, white house with a porch overlooking the river, and fenced in decks with Adirondack chairs could not have been more lovely, a scene conducive to sharing hearts. Seven sisters from seven different backgrounds. We came not only from different states but from different countries: two from Nigeria, from Michigan, Kansas, South Dakota, and Elizabeth was born in London. I am a New Yorker. Bisi and her daughter were baptized at Sugar Hill Mennonite Mission. Today, we helped to lift each other’s burdens. We shared joys and sorrows, trivial things and deep. These ladies understood me!

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). I’m thinking if this verse is true (it is!) then those few other people in the park must have known that we’re followers of Jesus. It’s not likely that we seven will ever be together in this way again. (The group here is ever-changing.) This then is the blessing of being of one body and of one Spirit.

I reflected on these things until I fell asleep as I rolled beside the magnificent Hudson River on the two hour train ride back to Grand Central. (A Yankee game this evening meant the train was full, and I shared a seat with a young man. He said it was ok that I had my stuff piled on it and took up two-thirds of the space.)

Thanks Donna, Bisi, Elizabeth, Christiana, Marilyn, and Rachel for being here. And to all those sisters who have touched my life: thank you! God bless you! Berniece