Juxtaposed

I attended a gathering of a number of home churches this afternoon, and am caught tonight by the juxtaposition of what I experienced.  Tomorrow I'll do the update thing, but tonight I'm caught by what I saw today.

I stood with my hands on some friends as they and the elders of the church gathered around their mom.  She is quite likely dying, as cancer works it's way through their body.  So I stood with them and cried out for a miracle of healing.

And then, a few minutes later, I smiled and laughed as the baby son of some new friends from my house church was dedicated.  I laughed as he tried to eat the microphone while the blessing was being prayed over himself and his parents.

Within moments the reality of death and new life were very, very near.  And I'm not even certain what to make of it, but this day feels oddly and deeply profound in my heart.