Responsible, Disciplined and Patient

Forty five years ago today, Christians around the world celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ. At the time I was assigned with the 2nd Marine Air Wing, MAG 32, at the nearby air station. Because I was assigned to the Air Wing, my time in Beaufort was considered sea duty, which meant that I was required to stand duty every third night. During the week the Medical Clinic was secured no earlier than 4 o’clock in the afternoon or when sick call was secured, The duty crew was responsible for spending the night, preparing the Medical Clinic for the next work day, maintaining the Emergency Room, and caring for the sick during the “off hours.” I was responsible for knowing how to run basic blood tests, take x-rays when needed, and dispense medication from the pharmacy. Every third day.

The schedule for Holy Week in 1975 had me standing the “Chief of the Day” watch on Good Friday. As I remember, it was a relatively quiet night, nothing unusual other staying up until 2:00 am in the morning playing cards. (I was younger then.) When the Saturday duty crew reported I made my way home where Kay had prepared a nice breakfast, which she has done since the day we were married. Afterwards, I mowed the lawn and then accompanied Kay to the commissary, which at the time was located on Parris Island. When we returned home I assisted in unloading the groceries and watched “The Wild World of Sports” with Jim McKay on ABC, a Saturday ritual at the time.

On Holy Saturday, Kay was two weeks overdue in her pregnancy with Lillian, our firstborn. We had attended the lamaze classes together in preparation for Lillian’s delivery and were sitting on the edge of our seats waiting for Kay’s labor to begin. The lamaze instructor had cautioned pending mothers to stay away from certain foods as they approached their due dates, one of which was barbecued meats. When it came time to prepare supper, however, I came up with the bright idea of barbecuing chicken, which I enjoy doing on Saturday evenings, To my delight, Kay did not oppose. Following supper, here they came! The labor pains!

Kay called her lamaze instructor who advised me to escort Kay around the neighborhood, walking would be good. And so we walked and walked and walked. We had watched the popular movie “King of Kings,” the gospel story about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus starring Jeffrey Hunter. After the movie and numerous walks around the block, we were advised to head to the Naval Hospital in Beaufort. Kay’s labor was long and arduous. Finally, at 11:56 am, Easter morning, we heard the first cry of our daughter, Lillian. I rejoiced! All I have ever asked for with all four children, seven grandchildren and a granddaughter due on April 15 is they have all their fingers and toes! She was a healthy child weighing in at 9 lbs. 3 ozs, 22 inches long. Shortly after noontime, the Rev. Milton Wilmesherr, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Beaufort entered Kay and Lillian’s hospital room and offered a prayer of blessing.

All of Kay’s labors (Lillian, Liesle, Laura and Sam) have been long and arduous. Once labor started, Lillian finally decided to make her arrival in the 33rd hour. Poor Kay was exhausted, but healthy and happy. She had done everything right (except for eating barbecue chicken the night before.)

I mention this because I read earlier today where it has been projected that South Carolina will most likely not hit her peak with the coronavirus until May 2 and hospital beds will be needed throughout the state in order to treat patients with the virus until at least July 15. What aggravates our situation, especially in the low country, is the unwillingness of some people to adhere to gatherings of no more than three people or less. After delivering several Sunday worship bulletins and the Pastoral Care Joys and Concerns to several households without access to computer technology, (and there was no personal touch) I found it shocking to pass two church campuses with people gathered in respective sanctuaries for worship services. The news media has covered similar situations in Arkansas, Florida and Louisiana.

Uh, uh. Not here. Personally, I long for the Sunday when we will be able to gather again as a community of faith. It’s what I live for. We are on the cusp of Palm and Easter Sunday. Highlights of our faith. It will be most unusual to be at home watching a Sea Island worship service on YouTube, but if we were to violate protocol the time for us to be together and to celebrate the resurrection would be a long time coming, longer than it needs to be. Besides, it is important that we as Christians demonstrate to those around us that we know how to be responsible, disciplined and patient.

The late Henri Nouwen believed that waiting patiently is not like waiting for the bus to come, the rain to stop, or the sun to rise. It is an active waiting in which we live the present moment to the full. Whatever your regimen might be as we shelter in place at home, resist with anguish the gift of personal touch, and miss the personal company of family, friends, and neighbors, may we again be responsible, disciplined and patient. May we live the present moment to the full. If we refuse to do so, the labor of waiting will prove to be long and arduous. As we look down the road, waiting for a new day of normalcy may we in particular listen to the wisdom of the apostle Paul, “Let us be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)

To close, may the Lord grant us good rest tonight. Stay safe! Stay well! Call if you need me. In Christ +

Henri Nouwen

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Steve Keeler, Pastor