Nice little surprise

3:01 p.m. Today's project was to take communion with my husband of 31 years at Calvary Chapel Moreno Valley. Whether communion was served at a home Bible study, like the one where we met and first broke bread together face to face; or Sundays without count for 22 years at Harvest Christian Fellowship; or at men's or women's Bible studies, it's a part of obedience to the Lord Jesus that is not to be missed or taken lightly. The Apostle Paul describes the Lord Jesus' command given during what we refer to as the Last Supper, in I Corinthians 11:23-26.

  The Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."
  For as often as you eat this bread or drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.

I have been extremely nervous about first-Sunday communion for the last 4 months, to the point of secretly wishing we could just stay home as Steve's shaking and general physical instability began to make the mere passing of the elements risky. (Notice the silliness of thinking I can hide my "secret" thoughts from God)!  I was very much encouraged by my friend, and also by praying with Steve on the way to church. So I strengthened myself in the Lord and we went into the service.

As the moment for communion came, I had Steve remove his gum and I rolled that in a wrapper, to cut down on confusion when the elements were passed. On came the cracker pieces, and since I have been in the habit, I took two small ones and prepared to pass the tray to the right, past Steve to the gal next to him. BUT: HE ACTUALLY TOOK A PIECE FOR HIMSELF!!! Praise the Lord, he fumblingly did it for himself, took a small piece and held onto it, so focused, so proud of his accomplishment. And I, the gluten-intolerant one, had to surreptitiously eat two pieces.

The cups I did take two of and hold, pouring 80% of his into mine so he could drink his tiny sip in the same period of time as the rest of us drink our fuller cups. He took that sip seriously and in good time with the rest of the congregation.

As much as I would love to give my full concentration to the sermon and the communion service and to what Christ has done for me, I have been called to go through a season of concentration on making it possible to take Steve to a place he loves--church--and make sure he can participate as much as possible. With much prayer being lifted up for us, I have a peace about where we're at right now. I just do. This peace is truly "the peace of God that surpasses all understanding," guarding my heart and mind through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7).

I already have a peace about caring for my husband, but my loving Lord went ahead and made my day with that nice little communion cracker surprise!