Waiting - Patience - Living during ‘in-between’ times. 26/4/2020 Sermon

Reading: Hebrews 9:15-28 (NIV)

Sermon: Living in time of transition - in between time. 

The theme I wanted to try and focus on is patience and or is it impatience?  It’s a real challenge because as you all know I am not the most patient person on the planet.  When I get an idea I want to run with it immediately.  I get excited and want to share my enthusiasm with others.  Yet this is a real season of patience for me.  I am being made to wait on important decisions because of the lockdown, and to be honest I am intrigued as to where these weeks and months will lead me as individual and as a church.  If this time was a book, I’d be the one reading the last chapter of the book before the middle of the book to find out what happens.  I read the Scottish Government document regarding Covid-19 and coming out of the lockdown.  What I would have given for a detailed timeline, and for the Church and others like Mosques to get a mention.

I sense a growing impatience, particularly in the business world to return to some semblance of normal.  More and more companies are finding ways to open up, and I see the excitement that our favourite takeaways and coffee shops are generating, finding ways to keep us satisfied.  At the same time, I am wondering what it means for keeping the NHS and support systems safe, because until the NHS can go back to some kind of normal, those with health conditions that are not Covid-19 won’t receive the level of care they need.  And that isn’t a criticism of the NHS but a vague understanding of the fact that Covid-19 isn’t the only health situation out there, but it is dominating.  

So how do we live in this in between time?  And it is a time of waiting.  We know that this version of the lockdown won’t be forever, even if occasionally it is reintroduced, but some version of social distancing will remain in place for a significant period of time.  And that goes against everything we have become used to.  We get deliveries in a day or a few days of just about anything. We click and collect.  We watch 24/7 news, we online bank, we watch box sets rather than wait a week for the next episode.  We are no longer designed to be patient, to wait, to exist in liminal time - that in between time. 

We know our world. The world is as it is - at least what we knew just over 100 days ago.  For the Jewish people their world was shaped, as ours is, by ritual and practice, by festivals and milestones.  The Old Covenant was full of rules, and requirements for sacrifice and sin offerings.  When you read through Leviticus as I just have it is a whole other world of ritual and sacrifice, that would make sense in that culture.  Repeatedly, you find God denouncing the sacrifice of children made to the god Molech so other tribes certainly had sacrifices as part of their culture.  Ritual helped people to distinguish between the ordinary and the holy, like we offer a guest the best of what we have.  God is holy, to be respected and honoured.  But a covenant wasn’t a dictatorship.  A covenant is like marriage vows - promises, vows made between a couple to love and honour one another, to be faithful to one another, to share life together.  The Old Covenant was a living, loving relationship between God and his chosen people, which had to include the forgiveness of sins.  It is important to know that God and Abraham entered the Covenant as equals despite God’s holiness.  God chose that. 

But God is holy, and we are so not! So, on the Day of Atonement, the High Priest went into the Holy of Holies and sought forgiveness for the people on their behalf.  It was an incredibly special day full of ritual practice, outfits, clothes, fasting and sacrifice. 

The author of Hebrews in this passage shows how Jesus is the sacrificial lamb and fulfils the requirements of the Day of Atonement, but that because he does it in the heavens, rather than in an earthly copy of the heavenly temple, he has fulfilled the Old Covenant between God and his chosen people, and allowed the start of the New Covenant, that is a relationship between God and all his people.  The High Priest could only use the blood of animals, which had its own set of rules, and blood was known as the source of life.  In scripture we are told that and it is why Jews don’t eat meat with blood in it because blood equals life.  

Therefore to completely fulfill the Old Covenant, to honour that promise, that relationship between God and his people, Jesus had to use his own perfect, sin free, blemish free life - life blood - to cleanse, forgive and begin the New Covenant.  Jesus died to take away the sins of the world, and allow something wonderful to begin.  Yet too often we miss this out of our faith story, and think somehow we are the ones who have to appease God.   We spend time trying to make ourselves worthy.  We think God wouldn’t have time for us, in our mundane lives.  We don’t want to bother him with our guilt, our anxiety, our worries, our boringness...but I want to tell you that God cares and loves you enough to have come amongst us in Jesus Christ, and be the ultimate sacrifice and gift to humanity.  And we know that God can never leave us or abandon us, so therefore he is with us in this time of waiting, of liminal space, of uncertainty...because as Christians we are living in the in-between time.  We live between Christ has come and Christ will come, what some call simultaneously living in the “now and not yet”

Part of the problem of the human race is that we think we have to solve everything, do everything, be responsible for everything.  We need to be doing.  We need to have purpose. We need to be in control.  And when that control, that purpose, that activity is taken away, we are bereft, lost, tossed about.  We don’t like waiting.  We don’t like not knowing what should be done or can be done.  We see it all the time in the random pronouncements of politicians and pundits on what we should have done or be doing. 

Within the Christian faith - we regularly build this waiting time into our faith journey.  We maybe just haven’t truly appreciated it because culture pushes in and fills up our spaces.  Think about it for a moment, run through the Christian year.  Remember we start the Christian year with Advent - a season of preparation, waiting for the coming Messiah - not just the babe in the manger but a recognition that Jesus promised he would return. A sense of expectation and anticipation, of waiting.  The New Testament writers expected Jesus to return quickly, yet over 2000 years later we are still waiting.  But why are we so surprised at that? The promise of a Messiah was made hundreds of years before He came.  There are 400 years of silence between the Old Testament and the New Testament.  It took Moses 120 years to fulfil his mission...Move on from Advent, through Epiphany where many believe it took the Wise Men about 2 years to meet Jesus! Then we hit Lent - 40 days in the wilderness with Jesus, again a season of preparation, of penance.  We arrive at the Cross, wait ever so briefly through Holy Saturday that feels like eternity and into Easter Sunday morning. From there we have 40 days til Ascension and 50 days til Pentecost - a season of waiting for the Spirit. 

Kind of goes against same day delivery and live-streaming culture. 

Add to the mix the place of the Sabbath, a consistent doctrine within Scripture which we have so lost in this world.  We butchered it with constraints and lost the beauty of it in ridicule and misunderstanding, of selfish ambition and greed.  But consistently God reminds us of the value of Sabbath.  We need to rest, and most importantly rest in him and with him. 

Waiting is a discipline of faith.  Not popular - I get that.  Waiting is not wasted time.  Waiting is a time of growth, preparation, penance leading to new life, indeed eternal life. A grace, a fruit of waiting is patience.  Over the next few weeks I hope to explore the discipline of waiting under the doctrine of Sabbath.  Trust me Sabbath can be rebellion not just resting, it can be play and celebration, not just meditation and chilling.  

Let us learn how to wait, and to watch for his return.  

God bless you! Amen. 

Ready to Rise by Jo Saxton. A review

This is a book I have just read, courtesy of Netgalley for free, on the understanding I posted a review. I have posted a review on their site, and copied it here it is as well - well I did enjoy the book, and grateful for it. I gave it 5 star rating because it was the book for me where I’m at!

Ready to Rise by Jo Saxton was a joy to read, light enough to absorb easily, yet profound enough to get under your skin and make you reflect, especially after you had laid the book down to return the everyday tasks.  This is a book that speaks into this new world that exists around us, even though it wasn’t planned for this wilderness, and particularly the opening chapters have a prophetic tone about it.  Early chapters feel like a well written sermon, warm and engaging whilst the concluding chapters challenge further participation and development. I was struck by the idea of uncovering who we are as women, as opposed to discovering or indeed recovering, for who and what we are as women has always been.  To be honest, at times I felt she was writing my story, other times I was slightly jealous I hadn’t written the book myself, but I found myself grateful for her careful consideration and gracious attitude. This is not a text that is out to bring men down or indeed blame them, but a recognition that subconsciously to a point, and consciously, culture has consistently portrayed women within a limited framework.  

So although, unapologetically about encouraging and empowering women in leadership (which is a broad term), there is a nod to the menfolk, some I think who might value the basic principles underlying the text. I loved the use of Timothy as well as powerful women from Scripture, some rather obscure ones as well as known ladies. She balances Scripture, the call of God on our lives and practical application, along with some worthy quotes from authors in a variety of fields.  So, therefore, although it is not an academic text as such, it also stops short of being a personal soapbox.  The reflection questions at the end of each chapter get deeper the further into the book you go, taking you on a journey of discernment, with some being more relevant or indeed necessary as you go.  I intend to go back and re-read this book, following the questions as I go this time. I’m always to impatient on the first read through to find out what happens, and I found I really didn’t want to put this book down.

I would totally recommend this for any woman needing a boost or a gentle reminder that they are so much that culture has shaped, that they don’t have to be all and do all to be worthy of praise or merit. If you are a woman considering changing paths in your career or community, again it is a helpful read.  And I think a fantastic book to read as a group of women, building up community and support as we go, particularly as the hardest element is moving from the belief that ‘I can be’ to ‘We can be’.

Needing a top-up?

How are you today?  Are you like my Isla (pre home hair cut!) watching out the window and looking for her friends to pass by?  Her friends are the neighbour’s cat, a couple of squirrels, a pile of pigeons and a lot of very cheeky jackdaws! She is just wondering when we are all moving back out again! And she isn’t the only one.  Normally I would start back after my post Easter break with a coffee with Emma enjoying a child-free moment, then planning the coming weeks up to the summer.  So far today, I have helped the children with school work (which they did with great pleasure and enthusiasm 😜), 2 loads of washing, cooked lunch and dealt with a pile of correspondence.  I wanted to post something inspirational this morning on Facebook but I have to admit I was coming up empty.

So I took time in the sunshine space in the dining room before lunch to read God’s word and ponder with Him for a wee while instead.  I cannot offer anything from Him or about Him if my reserves are empty. And to be honest, without very regular topping up (and some better sleeping) I can’t offer anything.  As always though I find inspiration and connection in His word.  Paul writes in Romans 10 that by faith we are put right with God, by confession we are saved.  So please accept this as my confession and know that if you are struggling to put one word after another, never mind moving off the sofa - I am right there with you. And for those reading this wishing they could crash out on the sofa - God bless you in your activity and hard work, and we are rooting for you.

Paul knows what it is to be in prison, to be under lockdown - but he didn’t waste his time there. He used it for mission, for prayer, for encouraging others.  So if you are like me and not out there keeping the world turning in the NHS or stacking the shelves or emptying the bins or all the other roles we have often taken for granted, know that your time in lockdown doesn’t have to be wasted.

Let your hope keep you joyful,
be patient in your troubles,
and pray at all times.
Romans 12:12

God loves you. Rest in him, reconnect with Him and let the Spirit shine forth in your compassion and kindness today.

Peace be yours
Love Sarah
Find me on Facebook at Blantyre Old Parish Church if you want to add comments or prayer requests.

Easter Sunday - Jesus is present

Reflection

When the unexpected happens you don’t quite know how to believe it. Often we are so surprised, taken aback, and find it hard to process. Sometimes the surprise is a good one, sometimes it is not.  The disciples went through the most traumatic event of their lives on Friday.   Witnessing the death of Jesus was beyond their ability to process.  It was a huge disappointment for a start.

Jesus who had fed the 5000 with a pack lunch, Jesus who had walked on water and calmed the storm with his words, Jesus who had healed the sick and sent demons into pigs, Jesus who had challenged religious leaders and caused many sleepless nights had died on a cross like a common criminal.  There was no worse way for a Jew to die than on a cross - crucified. 

The followers of Jesus cannot comprehend the love that took Jesus to the cross.  Nor could they comprehend the necessity of it, even when he said ‘It is finished’. 

Yet before they had even had time to move from the shock and the numbness of loss, the women come running to tell them Jesus was alive.  It is no wonder they couldn’t believe them.  The run to the tomb would have been a mixture of disbelief and hope.  The running commentary in their heads (no pun intended) - are they right? Where he is?  Can it be?  

They see the empty tomb, the strips of cloth lying there and they believe, don’t believe, believe in the roller coaster of emotion.  They return to the others, but Mary hangs back.  Her world is upside down, her Lord is missing and she cannot comprehend it.  There is nowhere for her to go.  So she waits, pacing and waiting.  

Our world is upside down.  We are all going through the same crisis but we handle it in different ways.  The men gathered in locked rooms, praying, discussing, hiding in fear.  The women were watchers - always there watching.  Yet Jesus appears to Mary in the garden where she waits, and he appears to the disciples in the locked room. There isn’t a right or a wrong way to be in this crisis - whether we are cooped up in anxious conversation or watching anxiously, pacing nervously -  we all react in our own way.  However, Jesus knows where we are and he comes to us where we are.  He appears in the room with the menfolk and offers them peace. He comes to Mary waiting and watching in the garden. 

So if you are a worrier, anxious for you or for loved ones - Jesus is with you bringing peace.  He is able to encourage and strengthen you, so that you can encourage and strengthen others. 

If you are watching, pacing, wondering where Jesus is, perhaps, pause for a moment and listen to him calling your name. He knows you and loves you, and maybe we are too busy pacing to recognise he is with us.  

We live in uncertain times, and we know that the world has changed, just as it changed that first Easter Sunday morning.  Things would never be the same again.  We believe that the Easter morning, when the stone rolled and Jesus rose from the dead, brought about a new beginning, an open relationship with God.  Things were never the same again for the disciples for something traumatic will always change how we perceive the world around us.  However, Jesus remained a constant presence in their lives, as he does in ours.  And he promises that even in death, he will be with us.  God promises to never leave us nor abandon us, and we can believe that for this life and the next.  

Easter Sunday allows us to believe and trust in this text from John 14: 

‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.’

Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’

Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.’

You are God’s child and he loves you.  This Easter know that Jesus travels with you, and he brings words of peace and knows you by name.  Let him be with you. 

Good Friday - ‘It is finished’

What is finished?

What is finished?

Not Jesus.  

He doesn’t say ‘I am finished.’ These are not words of defeat.

He says ‘It is finished.’

He doesn’t say ‘God is finished.’ These are not words of frustration. 

He says ‘It is finished.’

He doesn’t say ‘You are finished.’ These are not words of anger.

He says ‘It is finished.’ These are words of completion. 

These are words uttered when the job is done. 

‘It is finished’. Words of satisfaction. 

‘It is finished’. Decisive. Determined. 

What is finished? The Old Covenant.

What is finished? The Devil.

What is finished? The Law

He says ‘It is finished’.  Complete. Done. 

So maybe now we ask the one who finished it 

what is begun?

What is started? What is new? What begins?

For he is the creator, he brings life with his words...

so listen for him saying...

‘It is started’ for God is not finished.  Rather he has begun something new with us, for us, about us. 

As Easter dawns, as the tomb is opened, as the hosannas ring 

let us watch for what is about to begin...

   

Maundy Thursday - What is Love?

Reading:  John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Reflection

Love is...what is love?  We all have answers to that question! Sometimes love is mundane isn’t it?  Or like it’s on automatic pilot?  You know you love your partner, children, parents, best mate, but often the love is like the background music in the movies.  Sometimes love is tested like being forced to listen to cheesy music in the elevator.  Other times the music is barely heard,and at other times the music is harsh and angry as tempers flare.  And when you hear Nat King Cole - unforgettable - well love is well and truly in the air! Or put on those 80s tunes and get on the dance floor with your best mate, dancing like nobody is watching. 

I believe that if the saying is true that money makes the world go round, love is the glue that holds it together.  And without a doubt, love is really sticky at the moment, and money is being shown the door. 

The changes that Coronavirus has brought to our daily lives are beyond our comprehension, despite our ability to articulate what they are.  The knock on effects of isolation are beyond our ability to truly articulate because how do you put into words the loneliness, the missing, the lack of human touch, the fear when we do have to be around other people, the boredom...the emotional anxiety overload, the grief...it is no wonder we can barely focus or indeed multi-task. 

Yet despite all of this, so many have stepped up and stepped out.  We face this crisis with stoicism and resilience and we get on with it.  And we have learnt to appreciate one another in ways we never did before.  And dare I say it, even serve one another. 

Tonight’s story is about Jesus washing the feet of his disciples.  Having loved his own who were in the world, that is his disciples and friends, he now showed them the full extent of his love.  It’s curious this part.  We talk about Jesus’ death showing the full extent of his love, yet here in the seemingly thankless task of washing dirty, dusty, sweaty feet is Jesus showing the full extent of his love. 

Reflect on that for a moment - why is washing the feet of his friends showing them the full extent of his love?  

The washing of feet before sitting down for the meal is the equivalent of coming home from a long day at work, changing out your work shoes and putting on your slippers and resting by the fire with your cuppa!  So it was a normal practice to get comfortable for dinner.  It was a task undertaken by the lowest slave in the home. 

Jesus who was their teacher, their leader, their mentor goes from being the host to the slave.  In fact the passage reminds us that Jesus is from God and will return to God.  And this prompts him to get up, strip to his undergarments, wrap a towel around his waist and wash their feet.  And the work he does is about making his disciples clean and comfortable before they have dinner together.  The gift he offers them is for their well-being. 

But he is doing the work of a slave.  He washes their feet - and Simon Peter who is usually the first, is not the first on this occasion.  He has time to get uncomfortable...this is no work for Jesus to be doing... Jesus has a position, a status to uphold.  He can’t demean himself in this way.  This is the job of a slave, not a Rabbi.  Yet Jesus shows the full extent of his love by doing the work of a slave. He is willing to be considered as the lowest of the low and that is embarrassing for Peter.  

Jesus can read Peter like a book.  He knows exactly what Peter is feeling.  Jesus reminds us that if we want to be like him then we should be willing to wash one another’s feet.  And folks when I look about that is what I’m seeing.  Obviously, not literally and certainly not everywhere.  But suddenly we are appreciating those who ‘wash feet’ rather than those who ‘lord’ it over us.  Our celebrities and footballers who earn a fortune are suddenly relegated as we clap hands, bang pots and ring bells for NHS workers and carers.  We value the people emptying our bins and stocking our shelves as fast we are unloading them.  We suddenly realise how much we need GPs and their receptionists we moan about so much, and there are just not enough pharmacists to keep up with demand.  Clergy and other religious leaders are working hard to try and connect with their congregations and the community supporting people in this time of crisis.  

And our community activists, many of whom have been working behind the scenes of the community are now up front and centre, co-ordinating food parcels, and deliveries to housebound and more.  

CEOs who have lived in their own power bubbles have felt the onslaught of the community - being forced to make u-turns on keeping their businesses open.  Or being strongly encouraged to treat their staff better by furloughing them rather than making them redundant.  Suddenly, we are witnessing a real shift in understanding about who or what is most important.  It’s no longer the size of your pay packet but what you actually contribute to the community at large that is being measured and rated.   This event is making volunteers of so many, as we are torn away from the busy 24/7 life we had so embraced.  Those who we have often taken for granted, just accepted as part of the fabric of life, the background music of life have become the concert masterpiece composed through love and resilience. 

We are showing the full extent of our love when we are willing to get down of our pedestals, our high horses of self-righteous expectation, and get involved for the greater good.  And if it is good enough for the Son of God, then folks it is good enough for us whether we are high court judges or older folks asked to baton down the hatches or weary households with voices asking ‘is it nearly over yet...’

The last part of the reading from John’s Gospel for tonight comes from John 13:31b-35

Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him,[c] God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.

33 ‘My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: where I am going, you cannot come.

34 ‘A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’

That love is epitomised by the willingness to serve and to follow that through.  And Jesus never lost his status as the Son of God.  Letting go of our pride to let love win the day doesn’t mean we lose who we are.  If anything we will be blessed.   Tomorrow we remember just how far that love was willing to go to serve us all. 

God loves you from your feet to your heart! 

Love Sarah 

Share our day - share our burden

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
    who daily bears our burdens.  Psalm 68:19

The schools break today for their holidays.  Two weeks of no schoolwork - one less argument to have in my household.  But I know they are are going to miss it too because their world has shrunk so much.  Never have parents been so grateful for the online community where at least children can connect and talk.  Yet I see the fractures appearing in my children - these days are a burden despite no school!

Yesterday I chatted with my Gran (97) who lives in Pitlochry in sheltered housing flat.  Still independent to a point and still going steady...but she said something really profound.  She only moved in there a couple of years ago, living alone up until that point (widowed in her 50s).
‘Sarah’ she said, ‘I have aged more in two weeks than in the previous two years.’

The worker at their desk struggling for motivation, missing the innocuous conversations about footy or music or talent shows around the coffee cup or in the break room.

Take time today to share the burdens of one another - doesn’t have to be a moan fest (though occasionally we need them and some rants!) but actually share the burden of daily life.  Have a laugh, send a silly GIF just for the fun of it, have a really mundane conversation about the weather, grab a glass of something and connect with a friend on line somehow.

God does share our burdens daily.  There is no limitation to his ability to carry us through this, to share our burdens and as Peter says: cast all your anxiety onto him because he cares for you!  Let’s be willing to share our burdens with Him, and help others share their burden of daily life as well.  As the old saying goes: ‘A problem shared is a problem halved!’ God bless you.
#mentalhealth #resilience #Godlovesyou

All at sea

(Jesus said) Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 

”It feels relentless - a never ending wave of doing in a sea of nothing. A battle between being pulled under and riding the crest. Each day I hit the shore only to be pulled back again, yet each day I miss the rocks, strong enough to keep swimming. #Godisgood #clergymum #ministry”

My tweet this morning reflecting how I am feeling at the moment.  Perhaps it is open to poetic licence, but I wanted to reflect the turbulence that I feel in my daily life.  And I share it because I don’t think I’m alone in this.  I don’t share it for sympathy or pity, but as an acknowledgement that this world is overwhelming.  This virus is affecting the life of the world globally and it cares not for age nor gender, creed nor sexuality, or indeed wealth.  And whether we have had contact with it or not, we are certainly affected by it.

Please be assured that all are held in prayer, in particular, those in mourning loved ones, or waiting for that phone call notification.  For those who are working at the front line, whether in the NHS or caring professions, in the shops supplying and those working behind the scenes to support the community - please know you are loved and thank you for all you do.

For those of us who are home, perhaps alone, perhaps with family, these days can seem heavy somehow, like a burden to be carried.  And yet, at the same time we are grateful that we are ‘safe’.  It feels disrespectful somehow to feel out of sorts if we are not frontline or solving some crisis or another.  Our days are filled with phone calls to family, maybe home schooling (or trying to home school), hobbies or tv,  food and that walk or run down the same street.  Building routine and structure into our lives is key, and so is finding purpose and focus.  I have to admit that I feel I am achieving everything and nothing, and certainly I feel I am constantly trying to meet some expectation no one has, as yet, articulated!   So I go back to a lesson I learned during a dark period in my own life - take pride in the small things, the little achievements.  If I manage to do one thing today to make a difference to my family, to my community, to another person’s wellbeing - I am going to accept that it was a good day and be grateful.

Living with low level anxiety is exhausting and for many that is where we are, recognising that others are living in a much higher state of anxiety, whilst for others it is a long term condition.  Briefly, perhaps we are all in the same sea though - anxious, desperate for safe haven and solid ground.  Perhaps, we can find ways to help other swim, rather than drag each other down with cruel words and selfish actions.  Then we will find safe haven and solid ground sooner.

For me, I hold onto the hope that faith will keep me strong and courageous.

As the hymn writer wrote:

We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Stedfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior's love

I do believe that God is with us in the water - and perhaps like Peter in the stormy sea we need to look to Christ.  Peter stepped out in faith and walked on the water, and then reality kicked in and he began to sink.  Immediately, and I mean immediately, Jesus put out his hand and lifted Peter up.  I suspect we will be ‘all at sea’ for a while yet, and perhaps face even greater challenges in the day ahead. 

But I want to reassure you, as I reassure myself, that Jesus is in this stormy sea of life with us.  Be gentle with one another and look out for one another for these truly are strange times. And let tomorrow worry about itself, and make today a good day! 

God loves you, you are his child and he is with you always, even to the end of the age. 
God bless
Love Sarah