Jimbo's Jots

I’m sure you’ve played or at least heard of 6 Degrees of Separation. We used to play it a lot with my friend regarding connecting someone to Kevin Bacon. According to IMDB, Kevin Bacon has been in over 100 productions as an actor, either television or movies. Additionally, he has other credits as a producer and director. So, playing 6 Degrees with my friend on Kevin Bacon connections through movies, you name an actor or actress, within 6 movies or shows, he connects them to Kevin Bacon.

The past couple of weekends have been somewhat out of the norm for me. Two weeks ago, I was asked to officiate a funeral. I had not met the deceased and didn’t know her story. When I met the family, I got to hear her story. She came to America from Barbados on a tennis scholarship to Eastern Michigan in the 1980s. She met her husband who was also an athlete at EMU. They dated, married and had two children. Fast forward to late August/early September, she was not feeling well and finally agreed to go see a doctor. She was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and passed away a couple weeks after diagnosis. “What is your connection to her then?”, you might ask.

Last weekend, I was asked to officiate a quinceanẽra. A quinceanẽra is rite of passage for a 15 year old of Hispanic descent. It can be an elaborate ceremony with many gifts, each with a symbolic meaning attached to the daughter. This one was not as extravegant as it could have been. In fact, it was more of a blessing bestowed on the young lady as she has grown up and has begun the transition to becoming a young woman. Here is the thing: I didn’t really know her all that well. In part, with my thoughts, it was more of a blessing on her and her family. There was also a challenge to her family and friends to continue to be a support to this young lady and her parents and family. “What is your connection to her then?”, you might ask.

Connections are vital to us. In both events, there are connections to my past. It sometimes amazes me that relationships are still strong after many years of knowing each other and yet not having consistent contact with people. The other day, a photo popped up on my Facebook memories of playing music with some of my fellow Tumbleweeds (college band). I recalled the event. And most recently connected with one of them when his grandson was taken to UM-Mott’s Children Hospital. My wife, one of my daughters and I were able to sit with him and his family and catch up on life and pray over them and their precious little man.

So, let me tell you the connections to the funeral and the quincearnẽra. I was asked to officiate the funeral because of my wife’s high school best friend. She was in our wedding; my wife in hers. We have known the family for over 30 years. She reached out to see if I could serve the family. The quincearnẽra was for the daughter of my former students in youth ministry. I had a strong relationship with the family as middle school and high school students came through the ministry I was leading.

All of this and I think of what Paul says in Philippians 1:3:

“I thank my God every time I remember you.”

What a tremendous blessing the past couple of weeks have been for me! To be able to serve families, because of the connections. With each moment of greeting, there were memories shared and laughter. I am grateful for the connections even though the moments of hugs and handshakes may be too far between.

Be blessed in your connections! Be a blessing to others in those connection moments!!