I am sitting at the church tonight, as the darkness falls around me, and I can't help but wonder at this past year. At the deaths and resurrections that have been a part of my life. Of the endings and beginnings that had to happen in order for me to be where I am today.
And even though our numbers at worship tonight were low, and I have bronchitis, and don't physically feel the best, I am just so incredibly thankful tonight.
I am thankful to be in a congregation that is supportive and loving. I am thankful to be surrounded by people who have deep faith that I really admire. I am blessed to given volunteers who still love to spend time in the scripture and share the story of God's amazing love with others.
Tonight we heard the stories of the characters that were "beneath the cross" on the day that Jesus died. How their lives were changed because of being in that moment. And I sat there and thought...how my life has changed by being in this one.
I wouldn't be here, without a God who continually loves me and pushes me to share His love with others. I wouldn't be here without having to have gone through my previous call that challenged me more than I could possibly imagine. I have come through that call, and now sit on the other side, and look back and wonder...
God was so good...so supportive...so loving...so understanding. And I was so exhausted that I couldn't even see Him. And here? In this call? Where I have been really intentional about setting boundaries and doing true self care? I see Him all over.
And I can't help but wonder how to teach this hard lesson that I had to learn to my parishioners. Because not many of them were here tonight. They are filling their lives with busyness...and I get it. I've been there. But I also know what it means now to slow down and let God handle it. And I hope, that I can share those hard lessons in this place. I hope that I can teach and lead through my example that taking Sabbath time isn't a luxury,but a necessity. That slowing down and admitting we can't do it all just says "God, you handle it today. You handle it all the time anyway. "
I pray that this place continues to be one of peace and rest and renewal for me and for all who enter these doors. I pray that this can be a place where people come to fill their cup and go back out into the world to share about God and His love for ALL people.
And I pray, that next year on Good Friday, I will look back on this one, and feel the exact same way I do today. Thankful for Jesus...for his dying on the cross to set me free...free to live, and free to love. God is good my friends. On Good Friday and every day.
Keep shining for Him,
Preaching Kate <><
