6 minute read
Give it up for Lent
Let’s give it up for Lent! What would you give up for 40 days?
By Lynn Walker Gendusa E aster is coming, and by the time it gets here my church is going to receive a rather large cash donation!
I am a southern Methodist girl who wasn’t raised believing it was a law that I must fast or make a sacrifice for Lent. However, years ago, I thought the Lenten season was a great way to show my appreciation to the Lord.
I gave up dark chocolate one year, and it nearly killed me! By the time Easter Sunday arrived, most of the chocolate bunnies in the south had been consumed by the out-ofcontrol mother who was stealing them out of kids’ Easter baskets. My daughter, who moved to Seattle to be close to Starbucks, decided to give up her beloved java for Lent. After 40 days of headaches, grumpiness, and falling asleep during business meetings, she decided never to give up the dark, soothing magic of coffee again. I have foregone sugar, fried foods and a host of other goodies for Lent in my lifetime of loving the Lord, but none has been as difficult as this one. Nope, none, not even dark chocolate.
I live with an Italian/New Orleans husband who would never—and I do mean ever—give up food for anybody. So I didn’t suggest it at all. Instead, I came up with an ingenious plan. Since both of us have a terrible habit of saying some non-printable words out of frustration, we would vow not to use them for 40 days and beyond. If we slipped up, we put money in a jar to give to church on Easter Sunday. Surely this would be pleasing to
STARVIN’ ARVIN’S DEALS
SAVE OVER 25 % WITH COUPONS
MESA COUNTY
MILE HI BURGER and Fries VALID THRU 3/31/2020 ORIGINAL COUPON ONLY, NOT VALID WITH OTHER DISCOUNTS OR SPECIALS $6 99 $10 00 / /
LARGE BURGER and Fries VALID THRU 3/31/2020 ORIGINAL COUPON ONLY, NOT VALID WITH OTHER DISCOUNTS OR SPECIALS $5 50 $7 50 / /
BEST
L O C A L L O V E D 2 0 2 0
Thanks to our customers for making us Best Place for Breakfast
God and hopefully not as difficult as giving up Easter bunnies or pizza. Well, unfortunately, we now have no money to buy a chocolate Easter bunny or a pizza! The jar was soon replaced with a bucket. I can almost hear the sound of the Lord’s laughter with each dollar stuffed into His bucket.
I have to laugh, too, when I think of some of the tales surrounding those non-printable, blanketyblank-blank words. The story of my 3-year-old brother, John, whose beloved grandfather had just finished building him a sandbox is particularly priceless.
Granddaddy was a tall, handsome, and godly man who taught Sunday school and was a Baptist deacon. He was watching John play in his new sandbox, when my brother couldn’t make the sand form what he envisioned and said, “Well, da--!”
“What did you say, John?” my grandfather asked in disbelief.
“Granddaddy, can’t you hear?! I BEACON SENIOR NEWS
said, WELL DA--!”
“Where did you hear such a word?” he asked.
“From my daddy!” the 3-year-old honestly and proudly shouted.
And, just like that, the last time John saw his new sandbox for many days was as his granddaddy was hauling him into the house to wash his mouth out with the Ivory bar. He then delivered my daddy a fireand-brimstone sermon my father recalled for the next 50 years.
By the time these 40 days have passed, hopefully our foul words will be forever gone and Granddaddy can rest in peace as I learn to fiddle my sticks and no longer steal chocolate bunnies. The whole idea of Lent is to give up, give in, and grow for the love of the Lord. He endured 40 days in a barren wilderness tempted by Satan and survived only to return to give His life for us.
Giving up chocolate bunnies, pizza, coffee, expletives and a bucket full of money is the least we can do for Him. ■
Life’s Legacy in Stone Mention this ad and receive a $500* credit towards new purchase
Custom Engraved Memorials, Mobile Sandblasting, Monument Repair & Cleaning
FRESH BERRY CREPES VALID THRU 3/31/2020 ORIGINAL COUPON ONLY, NOT VALID WITH OTHER DISCOUNTS OR SPECIALS $8 75 $6 99 / /
DELTA 204 Ute St. • 874-7288 SAUSAGE AND EGG BREAKFAST VALID THRU 3/31/2020 ORIGINAL COUPON ONLY, NOT VALID WITH OTHER DISCOUNTS OR SPECIALS W/HASH BROWNS, SAUSAGE PATTIES AND TOAST
$5 50 $6 75 / /
BISCUIT SUPREME $5 50 $7 25 / /
970-323-6658
www.facebook.com/MorrisMonument www.morrismonument.com 1630 South Main Street, Delta
Taylor Funeral: Caring, professional services in difficult times BUSINESS PROFILE
By Arlyn J. Macdonald N othing is more difficult than facing the death of a loved one. One comfort is knowing that the professionals at Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory in Delta can help you every step of the way.
A CENTURY OF COMPASSION Taylor Funeral Service has offered comfort and care to bereaved families for over 100 years. The
family owned and operated funeral service aims to provide professional
SAVE THE DATE! TUESDAY APRIL 7
HopeWest & Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory partnering to present a Hospice Foundation of America webinar Suicide in Later Life
Who is at Risk? How You Can Help! Followed by a panel discussion to ask questions, share concerns, and learn from other professionals in our community. Tuesday, April 7th 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm Grand Mesa Oncology, Mesa Lake Classroom (North of the Delta Hospital on Stafford Lane) Registration required, contact Melanie 970-874-0628 This CE accredited program is ideal for healthcare and social service clinicians, hospice, practitioners and faith communities. Refreshments will be served.
services combined with genuine kindness and compassion.
Chalmer and Marge Swain are certified funeral directors and have owned the business since 1984. Previously, Chalmer served as the Delta County Coroner, and is currently a certified funeral service and mortuary science practitioner. Marge is also licensed in Colorado for pre-need insurance services. “Pre-planning and pre-paid funerals give a person peace of mind and help take the tremendous weight off surviving loved ones,” Marge explained. “We have several different payment plans to help people with their funeral expenses.” The Swains are the third owners of Taylor Funeral Services. These Colorado natives serve on several community boards and are also members of the National Funeral Directors Association, SELECTED Independent Funeral Homes and the Colorado Funeral Directors Association.
EXCEPTIONAL SERVICES “Two of the most important services we offer are pre-planning and grief counseling,” Marge said. Retired Reverend James Gall is the business’ grief counselor, helping children, adults and families through difficult times. Grief counseling is offered to families at no charge. Rev. Gall is also available for those who want a religious funeral service but don’t have a regular minister to officiate.
Taylor Funeral also helps with applying for death certificates, Social Security and insurance benefits. They can help write obituaries and assist with contacting clergy and musicians and arranging for flowers. They also offer burial options (cremation or burial) at Mesa View Cemetery.
Staff can assist veterans with services and military honors at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Grand Junction, which has a residency requirement. They also work with cemeteries in Monte Vista, Denver, Las Animas and in Colorado Springs—all of which do not have residency requirements.
Taylor Funeral Service has locations in Cedaredge, Hotchkiss and Paonia. Their home office is located at 682 1725 Road in Delta. For more information, call 874-9988. ■
