“I show up day after day trusting that God will do more with me than I can ever imagine or dare to believe. This is the beauty of God’s call in our lives. We are all called as God’s beloved children, and in that truth, we can rest knowing that God is with us.”
“…there are those who know all the words of worship by heart
and those who fumble with the bulletins and books
some sit quietly while others squirm and wiggle
some of the youngest delight in running up and down the aisles
and their parents simply want a space to rest…”
“Some days we may feel like our faith is covered by clouds. We don’t know which way is up and where to go. A broken relationship weighs heavy on our hearts. We feel dark and lonely. We don’t believe we can take one step forward. We can’t offer forgiveness. An addiction has taken hold. We’re afraid we’ve lost our way. God feels distant and silent.”
God sends us love notes each and every day. “Every moment of our lives. Reminding us we have been called and loved and filled with God’s word.”
“God of silence and speech, we give you thanks —
for church buildings that offer sanctuary and peace found in the woods
for prayers offered in worship and in the dark nights of the soul…”
“What if in all these moments God is showing me over and over again what it is to listen? To hear God’s joy in the laughter of my children, to feel God’s peace in the cuddles on the couch, and God’s hope in reaching a hand out to share the peace on Sunday morning.”
“When I couldn’t muster any energy we all gathered in the living room, blankets and pillows surrounding us, and sat together on the couch. Moving into the new year I hope to pay attention to what my body is telling me which I realize I can’t do unless I’m willing to stop and listen and just be present.”
“This night holds so much light and darkness, joy and grief, welcome and loss, hope and despair, dreams realized and dreams lost, and on this night and in the year to come through it all you hold us, ushering us into a new year
where your presence, grace, and love, forgiveness, and redemption never wavers.”
“This lighting of the Christmas tree is one way they get to practice bringing light into the world. They’re only 5 and 2 but in a world that feels ever more dark, we need all the practice we can get bringing light and hope to fruition.”
“Coming Lord, we wait for you in this season of darkness looking to the light found on trees, on city streets, in candles and wreaths.”