The Cornerstone Corner

                                                              Let’s “ROCK”

           With Easter Sunday behind us, we continue our celebration of the Resurrection of Christ.  April, however, will always remind me of the passing of my mother in 2005.  When she was at the Northfield Retirement Center I would sometimes play during the services held in the chapel.  When I first started playing in the chapel, I was depressed by the number of white haired individuals in wheel chairs, or pushing “walkers”.  Later, I became inspired by this same group.  They were all devout Christians.  Some would smile, few talked and some were asleep within minutes of their arrival. 

           In January of this year, I decided to return to the center to play for this select group.  I include Cornerstone members when they’re available and sometimes other musicians and singers.  Word has spread and I now play at various wings of the center, the assisted living quarters and Northfield Hospital.  I play for them twice a week and usually wear a St. Peters, “Cornerstone” tee-shirt or sweat shirt to let them know I’m traveling with my friend, Jesus. In February I played to celebrate the birthday of a woman I’ve gotten to know that lives in the Bluebird wing.  She had turned 101.  Listening to their stories has been an inspiration for me that will always be in my heart.  One lady told me the best thing about being her age was “no peer pressure”.  They remind me of that simpler, basic lifestyle I saw growing up. There’s a positive difference in their approach to life and what I see in families today.

           Some of today’s working Christians think they’re entitled to something. If they do the “right thing“, they become entitled by what they‘ve done.  They think “they came to Christ”.  Christ did not find them.  Other Christians have what I think of as a “debtors ethic“.  That approach says everything this person does is out of a duty to repay Jesus.  How can you repay Jesus?   You can’t.  It’s all part of Gods love, grace and mercy.  And it’s free.  We’ve seen, in our economy and lifestyles that one of the greatest shortages we  face is the lack of time.  Work hours, commutes and other activities take up our precious family moments.  Raising our children with a solid family example and spending the time with them is a daunting task.   I’m reminded of the lyrics from songwriter Mark Hall of the group Casting Crowns.  The song is called American Dream and it was written for fathers. Here are the some of the original lyrics:

Took the family out for a picnic - Got his cell phone at his side - Middle of the blessing, the phone rings - Got important people on the line - The kids start gathering all their toys - Realizing the day was planned in vain - Momma’s in the car with tears in her eyes- As it slowly starts to rain - But he works…and he builds…with his own two hands…and he pours all he has in a castle made with sand - But the wind and the rain are comin’, crashin’ in.  I’ll take a shack on the Rock…Over a castle in the sand.

           Christ is our rock.  Many of those people I now see on a weekly basis know the value of the “Rock”.  Their happiness is in knowing Christ and living with the memories of a life worth lived.  They live with love, grace, mercy and a sense of humor.  They don’t ask me to play “rock” but they sure love the old hymns.  One thing I’ve learned from visiting with the seniors; don’t let aging get you down; it’s too hard to get back up.  

Peace through Christ

Gary Heil