On The Third Sunday Of August

.....Each August, on the third Sunday of the month, Larry and I visit the same church. Dr Wesley watches us make our way up the walkway, and greets us with a smile. He says that he is always happy to see us. We have not been introduced as visitors since the first Sunday that we visited, years ago.

It is true, we go to a local (Texas) church 51 Sundays, and one Sunday a year, we visit the little church.

Last Sunday I took the photo above. We were visiting our "other" church. Dr Wesley greeted us. Service started at 9:00. The day was warm, and the church built many years ago has no air conditioning, but has a floor-plan to allow the trade winds come in gently from the lanai.

Hawaii was celebrating 50 years of Statehood, and Dr Wesley gave a sermon on the meaning of ALOHA SPIRIT. His sermon has stayed with me all week....Aloha Spirit is equal to the Golden Rule, and includes greetings and love.( in 1820 missionaries brought the Golden Rule to the Islands, and found that it was already there, as Aloha Spirit) I was struck at how his sermon was only a reminder to the congregation around us. They nodded their heads and sighed with contentment.

I have been teaching Sunday School to children over many years. The single thing that made me sad is, that most children came to SS not knowing what the the Golden Rule was or what it meant. We would then recite it every week.

How wonderful is it, that the Golden Rule is the international rule for love and kindness? It crosses all denominations, races and ages.........

If I could give you anything today, it would the the content heart of Aloha Spirit. Life is a joy, our friends are priceless gifts and sharing kindness with others, is the ultimate show of love and faith.

Aloha au ia'oe, Me.