Yesterday John and I began the horrible task of cleaning up our office, and I quickly got sidetracked when I found one of my old calendars. It was the June 2013- June 2014 calendar and I had wondered where I had stashed it because it wasn't with the other ones.
So I began to look through it, knowing I was walking into some sadder times in my life. For in that year, as a family, we faced two deaths which were very painful. Gus died in November, actually coming up on that anniversary, and Sarah died on Gus' 25th birthday. Both of them were family, one blood, one emotionally, and both died way too young. Both were intelligent, loved life and touched many lives. Both are missed everyday. There are and will be times that the grief is overwhelming, no matter the years that pass. However, there are also times when remembering them brings laughter, joy and love and I rejoice that they were a part of my life, even for such a short time.
Such thoughts at this time of year make for a weird kind of thankfulness. Thankfulness and grief do not usually share the same page during this time of the year. In this season of thankfulness, we give thanks for the beauty which surrounds us, the blessings of family, a warm home, and the privileges we have received or gained in life. We give thanks for our faith in God, a faith which Frederick Buechner writes should be a verb, faith should be active and alive in our lives. Buechner also writes that Jesus took the hand of Jarius' daughter and said, Talith cumi,"Little girl, get up", giving us the hope that death isn't the end, even before Jesus resurrected. The words and and actions of Jesus give us hope and thankfulness, even in death.
This is our season of thankfulness, and our thankfulness includes the saints of our past who have taught, touched, and shepherded our lives, making us who we are. Our challenge is if we are using the tools they gave us to make a difference in the world.
Peace.
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Saturday, August 19, 2017
This morning, as I was fixing breakfast, John motioned me to the window. Across our backyard, there was a majestic doe walking. Following back a ways was her fawn. Suddenly, fawn kicked up his back legs and started prancing and dancing in our yard! The fawn kicked and bucked and wiggled across the yard in total abandon. It was a cross between "Dance like no one is watching" and Bambi going out into the meadow for the first time! Then, about 10:00, again I was at the kitchen window, and there was a hummingbird zooming around the Butterfly Bush, landing and eating, then zooming again! We have had many butterflies this season, but had not seen a hummingbird until today.
Not that everyday isn't, but this morning was truly a gift from God. A gift I needed for my spirit. These gifts, the simple gifts of nature sharing its life with me were gifts that gave me hope, especially as the news was on in the background. These days it is hard to try and be informed about the world and not get sucked into the vortex of politics. It is hard to sit and watch violence in a beautiful city which is 90 minutes from my house, knowing that I was planning on being there, knowing that my friends were there in the middle of the fray, and I was praying for their safety as well as the safety of all who were there. It is a struggle that as a female in 2017, I hear the voice which cries that 100 year old statutes are offensive and not necessary, but the historian in me doesn't want them destroyed and doesn't want history rewritten. As a people, since Old Testament times, we have sought ways to put down another class or race for our own gain; we have pushed and demanded our way because we feel that as white Christians it is the right way. We have enslaved people, we have disrespected people due to their color, their sex or their sexual orientation. We need to remember these not so proud moments in our history and learn from them. We must correct our ways and set a pattern for the next generation to be better than we are. If we don't, then we are no better than the generations past.
With those thoughts on my mind, and they have been mulling around in my brain for a long time, today I was gifted with witnessing beauty and nature at its finest and rejoicing. Such a gift doesn't cause me to downplay the violence and horror in the world, but it does comfort me as I seek God's guidance on how to deal with such atrocities. When I notice the little things, a sunset, a laughing baby, or a fawn dancing in my backyard, I know that the world won't be perfect, but I am renewed in the faith that God will always be in control, in spite of of what we think or do. Slow down, look around, and see them for yourself, find your own renewal.
Olivia
Noticing the little things
This morning, as I was fixing breakfast, John motioned me to the window. Across our backyard, there was a majestic doe walking. Following back a ways was her fawn. Suddenly, fawn kicked up his back legs and started prancing and dancing in our yard! The fawn kicked and bucked and wiggled across the yard in total abandon. It was a cross between "Dance like no one is watching" and Bambi going out into the meadow for the first time! Then, about 10:00, again I was at the kitchen window, and there was a hummingbird zooming around the Butterfly Bush, landing and eating, then zooming again! We have had many butterflies this season, but had not seen a hummingbird until today.
Not that everyday isn't, but this morning was truly a gift from God. A gift I needed for my spirit. These gifts, the simple gifts of nature sharing its life with me were gifts that gave me hope, especially as the news was on in the background. These days it is hard to try and be informed about the world and not get sucked into the vortex of politics. It is hard to sit and watch violence in a beautiful city which is 90 minutes from my house, knowing that I was planning on being there, knowing that my friends were there in the middle of the fray, and I was praying for their safety as well as the safety of all who were there. It is a struggle that as a female in 2017, I hear the voice which cries that 100 year old statutes are offensive and not necessary, but the historian in me doesn't want them destroyed and doesn't want history rewritten. As a people, since Old Testament times, we have sought ways to put down another class or race for our own gain; we have pushed and demanded our way because we feel that as white Christians it is the right way. We have enslaved people, we have disrespected people due to their color, their sex or their sexual orientation. We need to remember these not so proud moments in our history and learn from them. We must correct our ways and set a pattern for the next generation to be better than we are. If we don't, then we are no better than the generations past.
With those thoughts on my mind, and they have been mulling around in my brain for a long time, today I was gifted with witnessing beauty and nature at its finest and rejoicing. Such a gift doesn't cause me to downplay the violence and horror in the world, but it does comfort me as I seek God's guidance on how to deal with such atrocities. When I notice the little things, a sunset, a laughing baby, or a fawn dancing in my backyard, I know that the world won't be perfect, but I am renewed in the faith that God will always be in control, in spite of of what we think or do. Slow down, look around, and see them for yourself, find your own renewal.
Olivia
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
What do we have time for?
Trevor Noah, host of "The Daily Show" has a re-occurring segment entitled "Ain't Got Time For That!" He reports on the news, issues like executive orders, what Congress has voted on, and other news, but says, "We ain't got time for that" because of some tweet our President has posted, or some comment that Kellyann Conway or Sean Spicer has said.
Well, I began to think, What do we have time for? We live in a fast paced world and society, where we read Facebook posts about "remembering when we caught lightening bugs and played outside until dark", so what do we have time for? I began a list, "What we need to have time for", and here it is:
1. We need to have time for ourselves. There are personalities who think of everyone else and not of themselves. That is benevolent, kind and for many, the Christian Way. However, we are taught that our body is a temple and because of that, we are called to take care of ourselves. Recently, I read an article saying that we need to take care of our animal. (and this is very paraphrased) The question was asked by the facilitator, "If you had a pet, how would you care for it? The answer was, "I'd feed it, hold it, love it and protect it." The facilitator responded, "You too are an animal, take care of yourself like you would your pet." That requires more than just food and water; it requires exercise, enough rest, attention, those are things we need to have time for.
2. We need to have time for loved ones. It doesn't loved ones is defined as family and blood relatives, or if loved ones is defined as neighbors and best friends, we need to take time for them. Relationships of all kinds are what shape us into the people we are. We say we ain't got time to meet the crew for drinks after work or we ain't got time to drive over to "Uncle Eb's place" but life is precious and we really don't have control over it, so take time for those loved ones. That time is priceless.
3. We need to have time for prayer. Whomever you pray to, take time to do it. If you listen to the news, we are in need of Divine Inspiration, and that is calling on all faiths, all belief systems, for such help. As a Christian, I find that being able to take my concerns, my apprehensions, my petitions for others, my celebrations and hopes, and giving them to God does make my life seem better. I believe that the Will of God will be done, even when that Will doesn't agree with what I think should happen, and I have the faith to know that it will all be okay. No matter what time of day or night, prayer time is time well spent.
4. We need to have time to laugh. As a society, we look at life too seriously and we do not laugh enough. At times, laughter is the best medicine. Enjoy a good comedy, read jokes in a joke book or in Reader's Digest, or watch cat videos online. Ed Wynn in Mary Poppins is right, "The more I laugh, The more I fill with glee, And the more the glee, The more I'm a merrier me."
Source: <a href="http://www.elyrics.net/read/m/mary-poppins-lyrics/i-love-to-laugh-lyrics.html">click here</a>
5. We need to have time for "appropriate service". These first four items have been time for us, personally. For me, "appropriate service"is the time we give to ministry and mission. We all have gifts and talents to share, that is our stewardship our discipleship. But we need to balance service time with personal time. That is something each of us need to seek individually; what is good for one person might not be good for another. Find your place to make a difference in other people's lives and enjoy it as you serve.
Those are 5 of my areas that I think we need to have time for. What are yours?
Happy Summer!
Olivia
Well, I began to think, What do we have time for? We live in a fast paced world and society, where we read Facebook posts about "remembering when we caught lightening bugs and played outside until dark", so what do we have time for? I began a list, "What we need to have time for", and here it is:
1. We need to have time for ourselves. There are personalities who think of everyone else and not of themselves. That is benevolent, kind and for many, the Christian Way. However, we are taught that our body is a temple and because of that, we are called to take care of ourselves. Recently, I read an article saying that we need to take care of our animal. (and this is very paraphrased) The question was asked by the facilitator, "If you had a pet, how would you care for it? The answer was, "I'd feed it, hold it, love it and protect it." The facilitator responded, "You too are an animal, take care of yourself like you would your pet." That requires more than just food and water; it requires exercise, enough rest, attention, those are things we need to have time for.
2. We need to have time for loved ones. It doesn't loved ones is defined as family and blood relatives, or if loved ones is defined as neighbors and best friends, we need to take time for them. Relationships of all kinds are what shape us into the people we are. We say we ain't got time to meet the crew for drinks after work or we ain't got time to drive over to "Uncle Eb's place" but life is precious and we really don't have control over it, so take time for those loved ones. That time is priceless.
3. We need to have time for prayer. Whomever you pray to, take time to do it. If you listen to the news, we are in need of Divine Inspiration, and that is calling on all faiths, all belief systems, for such help. As a Christian, I find that being able to take my concerns, my apprehensions, my petitions for others, my celebrations and hopes, and giving them to God does make my life seem better. I believe that the Will of God will be done, even when that Will doesn't agree with what I think should happen, and I have the faith to know that it will all be okay. No matter what time of day or night, prayer time is time well spent.
4. We need to have time to laugh. As a society, we look at life too seriously and we do not laugh enough. At times, laughter is the best medicine. Enjoy a good comedy, read jokes in a joke book or in Reader's Digest, or watch cat videos online. Ed Wynn in Mary Poppins is right, "The more I laugh, The more I fill with glee, And the more the glee, The more I'm a merrier me."
Source: <a href="http://www.elyrics.net/read/m/mary-poppins-lyrics/i-love-to-laugh-lyrics.html">click here</a>
5. We need to have time for "appropriate service". These first four items have been time for us, personally. For me, "appropriate service"is the time we give to ministry and mission. We all have gifts and talents to share, that is our stewardship our discipleship. But we need to balance service time with personal time. That is something each of us need to seek individually; what is good for one person might not be good for another. Find your place to make a difference in other people's lives and enjoy it as you serve.
Those are 5 of my areas that I think we need to have time for. What are yours?
Happy Summer!
Olivia
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Christianity 2017
Christianity 2017
The Christmas season is in full swing! The child has been born, and we are gearing up for Epiphany. But before we get there, I want to share at least one reflection of the Advent/Christmas Season. This reflection begins in about 1989. Christmas was on Monday, and it was the first Christmas after my mother had moved from the farm where we had lived since 1964. As Christmas was on Monday, and John and I had only one child (#2 was due in March), we went to my mother's for Christmas Day with the majority of my family. Both boys were not home yet, but all 3 of us girls, with husbands and children, along with Aunt Nancy and Mother were in her front room, rather crowded but noisily opening presents, with the 3 fathers armed with video cameras. I remember a conversation in the middle of the chaos, which has been recorded for perpetuity, about how 7-11 was open on Christmas, and that was so shocking! Nothing should be open on Christmas, not even 7-11!
Fast forward to Christmas 2016, which was on a Sunday. Interestingly enough, during Advent, I kept hearing conversations about having church on Christmas, and how that was just messing up all the plans; Christmas Eve should be enough. I found it surprising to hear people, church going people, question why church services would be held on Christmas Day, and was equally stunned to hear how many churches didn't have Christmas Day/Sunday services. We don't question that Easter is on Sunday, so why, when Christmas lands on Sunday about every 5 years, we question if we are going to church on Christmas or even if we should have church on that Sunday?
I am not going for a guilt trip over Christmas, a guilt trip over family vs. church, or a guilt trip about church attendance. I am looking at the bigger picture. Where is our Christianity in what is now 2017? What does it say about us when we actually consider not having church on the Lord's Day which is also December 25? Has the consumer world overtaken the religious world when it comes to Christmas?
And I think is was this question about Christmas and church which got me really thinking about Christianity in the 21st Century. We just came through an election cycle where religion was never mentioned; voters didn't know that Hillary was a Methodist or that Donald was a Presbyterian, or that Bernie was Jewish, and if they did know, it was as if they didn't care. Faith and beliefs were not topics in debates or town halls or even in tweets. Historically, John Kennedy, as a Catholic was a major point in the 1960 elections, but now religion isn't mentioned. Have we as citizens, become complacent, when it comes to faith and organized religion? Were we so caught up in the reality TV aspect of our last election that we were so blinded by the shining objects of tweets and negative campaigning that we forgot to look at the real issues of what our candidates believed, and how those beliefs would help them run our country?
Yes, we have become complacent in many areas of our lives. We have definitely become complacent when it comes to our faith and our church life. Maybe complacent is too strong. We are more conscious of not wanting to offend people, so we find it is easier to just avoid talking about faith so we don't hurt feelings or come off sounding like an evangelist. What is interesting is that the times have changed, our lives, and the world has changed, but Christianity hasn't changed, the message is still the same as it was in the First Century. And just like those of the First Century, we need to talk about it. We need to share what we believe in for one reason:
1: So others will hear of the saving grace of Jesus Christ
Christianity in 2017 is the same as it was last century, but how we talk about and live our Christianity is different. We can no longer assume that everyone knows the "old, old story of Jesus and his love", we need to tell it; tell it with words, tell it with actions, tell it in our reactions. We still have a story to share, a story of goodness, of healing, of grace. My hope is that everyone who reads this will think about how, even as the world has changed, and as 2017 will probably usher in more changes, that story can be shared.
Blessings,
Olivia
The Christmas season is in full swing! The child has been born, and we are gearing up for Epiphany. But before we get there, I want to share at least one reflection of the Advent/Christmas Season. This reflection begins in about 1989. Christmas was on Monday, and it was the first Christmas after my mother had moved from the farm where we had lived since 1964. As Christmas was on Monday, and John and I had only one child (#2 was due in March), we went to my mother's for Christmas Day with the majority of my family. Both boys were not home yet, but all 3 of us girls, with husbands and children, along with Aunt Nancy and Mother were in her front room, rather crowded but noisily opening presents, with the 3 fathers armed with video cameras. I remember a conversation in the middle of the chaos, which has been recorded for perpetuity, about how 7-11 was open on Christmas, and that was so shocking! Nothing should be open on Christmas, not even 7-11!
Fast forward to Christmas 2016, which was on a Sunday. Interestingly enough, during Advent, I kept hearing conversations about having church on Christmas, and how that was just messing up all the plans; Christmas Eve should be enough. I found it surprising to hear people, church going people, question why church services would be held on Christmas Day, and was equally stunned to hear how many churches didn't have Christmas Day/Sunday services. We don't question that Easter is on Sunday, so why, when Christmas lands on Sunday about every 5 years, we question if we are going to church on Christmas or even if we should have church on that Sunday?
I am not going for a guilt trip over Christmas, a guilt trip over family vs. church, or a guilt trip about church attendance. I am looking at the bigger picture. Where is our Christianity in what is now 2017? What does it say about us when we actually consider not having church on the Lord's Day which is also December 25? Has the consumer world overtaken the religious world when it comes to Christmas?
And I think is was this question about Christmas and church which got me really thinking about Christianity in the 21st Century. We just came through an election cycle where religion was never mentioned; voters didn't know that Hillary was a Methodist or that Donald was a Presbyterian, or that Bernie was Jewish, and if they did know, it was as if they didn't care. Faith and beliefs were not topics in debates or town halls or even in tweets. Historically, John Kennedy, as a Catholic was a major point in the 1960 elections, but now religion isn't mentioned. Have we as citizens, become complacent, when it comes to faith and organized religion? Were we so caught up in the reality TV aspect of our last election that we were so blinded by the shining objects of tweets and negative campaigning that we forgot to look at the real issues of what our candidates believed, and how those beliefs would help them run our country?
Yes, we have become complacent in many areas of our lives. We have definitely become complacent when it comes to our faith and our church life. Maybe complacent is too strong. We are more conscious of not wanting to offend people, so we find it is easier to just avoid talking about faith so we don't hurt feelings or come off sounding like an evangelist. What is interesting is that the times have changed, our lives, and the world has changed, but Christianity hasn't changed, the message is still the same as it was in the First Century. And just like those of the First Century, we need to talk about it. We need to share what we believe in for one reason:
1: So others will hear of the saving grace of Jesus Christ
Christianity in 2017 is the same as it was last century, but how we talk about and live our Christianity is different. We can no longer assume that everyone knows the "old, old story of Jesus and his love", we need to tell it; tell it with words, tell it with actions, tell it in our reactions. We still have a story to share, a story of goodness, of healing, of grace. My hope is that everyone who reads this will think about how, even as the world has changed, and as 2017 will probably usher in more changes, that story can be shared.
Blessings,
Olivia
Monday, October 31, 2016
The Earth is the Lord's
I love Fall. Even though each season has its gifts and special weather, Fall is my favorite. I can't place a finger on why, but I attribute it to the face I am a child born on the September Equinox. For whatever the reason, I love the changing of the leaves, the cool night, the smells of Fall, the leaves, even though I am finding I have allergies to the leaves, the wood smoke, the "clean" smell which comes with the winds blowing in the cooler air.
 |
| The view from my kitchen window |
Such beauty is a gift, a gift from God and a gift which we have accepted and need to care for and preserve. That makes us ecological stewards, and if we love to see such scenery, we need to step up and allow our love to grow into a passion which will cause us to be active in making sure such sites are around for children and grandchildren and all those other generations.
 |
| The Maury River |
This means that we need to be aware of what goes down our drains, and where it goes from our houses. This means we need to consider how to save on gas, the use of fossil fuels and if there is a way to use alternative energy i.e. water, wind or solar. This means keeping habitats alive and healthy, keeping green areas green and finding ways for more of them. These are ideas we hear this all the time, but do we really listen? When we read or hear Psalm 24, do we consider what it really means when we say "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof"?
Just something to consider on a cool Fall evening.....
Olivia
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Hope, we always need hope
I haven't written anything lately because listening to the news has been depressing. This doesn't sit well with a person who is usually optimistic, upbeat, and can always see the sunny side of life. But, it is time to put on my big girl panties and find the hope that is out there. This means finding hope in the state of Bath County, the state of our country and especially the state of the church.
Let's begin with Bath County. For those who read this and live here, you know exactly what I mean. Not including the supervisor from my district, I truly believe the rest of our elected officials have decided that a wall on our boarder isn't enough; we need a wall around our county. However, there is hope. It did my heart good to see the courthouse full on Tuesday to fight for the future of our home. Even though some don't want to see it, tourism is our life here, from The Homestead to Millboro General Store, the businesses of our county need not only the support of our residents; they need the support which comes from those who come here to hike, to celebrate anniversaries, to take part in our triathlon, to view the beauty of God's creation. Yes, there is hope even in the chaos of Bath County.
Let's look at the state of our country. In the past couple elections, I personally feel that our election process has declined. We, as the voters, want to hear about the issues, how these people we vote for will work for us, will help us, will, with our support, make our lives better. Instead, we hear about personal vendettas and accusations thrown around like a basketball in practice. Today, I said to John that as sad as it sounds, I am glad that my parents are not alive to hear the language used in this election cycle. They would not be pleased. We turn on the news, the debates, the internet and it is bad. As I paraphrase John Oliver, "We are down so far we cannot the the underside of rock bottom." However, there is hope. In spite of what we hear, we are a great country, a great people; people of all races, people of all lifestyles, people of all backgrounds, We live in a country where our speech is still free, we can worship where we wish, and we can vote every year.
My hope is in the vote. Everyone who reads this needs to remember that we have the right and we must vote come November 8. I have heard people say that this election isn't worth it; this election is SO WORTH IT! My hope comes that each November, no matter who or what is on the ballot, we cast our votes because we are free. So my motherly advise is: GO VOTE, IT IS YOUR RIGHT, IT DEMONSTRATES YOUR PATRIOTISM. We publicly cry that we are citizens and patriots; voting is the ultimate of our rights, so exercise that right and vote!
Finally, let's look at the state of our church, and for me that is the state of the Presbyterian Church (USA). We have been beat up a whole lot lately, and we have been divided and spent a great deal of time talking about who's leaving and who's staying. In the middle of this mess we tend to forget, that we all are children of God, redeemed by Christ and filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. We tend to forget that we can have different opinions and diverse theology and yet we can still sit together every Lord's Day, side by side and sing praises to God, confess our sins, hear God's Word, and be called to ministry and mission to the world. We tend to forget that God is in control of everything and that God's hope is that all things will work for good for those who love and serve the Lord. So my hope, when it comes to the church, is in God and in all that God has planned for us as His chosen Children. My hope is in the fact that my Redeemer Lives; He lives in each of us, and calls us in exciting and different ways. My hope comes in how I see Presbyterian Disaster Assistance be ready to be in Haiti, Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina as the flood waters recede from hurricane Matthew. My hope comes when I read the blogs of our YAV's (Young Adult Volunteers) who are spreading God's love and grace all over the world. My hope comes when I hear the stories of our missionaries and where they are working globally. My hope grows each and every day as I hear the stories of how the church is growing and changing to meet the world where it is and share the love of God. My hope is in where and how God is pushing me to see the world differently.
I probably went on longer than usual but I have been struggling with what I have been hearing, seeing, reading and witnessing, and how God is stirring the pot of soup in which we live. I hope that my hope can help you in the days ahead.
Grace & Peace,
Olivia
I haven't written anything lately because listening to the news has been depressing. This doesn't sit well with a person who is usually optimistic, upbeat, and can always see the sunny side of life. But, it is time to put on my big girl panties and find the hope that is out there. This means finding hope in the state of Bath County, the state of our country and especially the state of the church.
Let's begin with Bath County. For those who read this and live here, you know exactly what I mean. Not including the supervisor from my district, I truly believe the rest of our elected officials have decided that a wall on our boarder isn't enough; we need a wall around our county. However, there is hope. It did my heart good to see the courthouse full on Tuesday to fight for the future of our home. Even though some don't want to see it, tourism is our life here, from The Homestead to Millboro General Store, the businesses of our county need not only the support of our residents; they need the support which comes from those who come here to hike, to celebrate anniversaries, to take part in our triathlon, to view the beauty of God's creation. Yes, there is hope even in the chaos of Bath County.
Let's look at the state of our country. In the past couple elections, I personally feel that our election process has declined. We, as the voters, want to hear about the issues, how these people we vote for will work for us, will help us, will, with our support, make our lives better. Instead, we hear about personal vendettas and accusations thrown around like a basketball in practice. Today, I said to John that as sad as it sounds, I am glad that my parents are not alive to hear the language used in this election cycle. They would not be pleased. We turn on the news, the debates, the internet and it is bad. As I paraphrase John Oliver, "We are down so far we cannot the the underside of rock bottom." However, there is hope. In spite of what we hear, we are a great country, a great people; people of all races, people of all lifestyles, people of all backgrounds, We live in a country where our speech is still free, we can worship where we wish, and we can vote every year.
My hope is in the vote. Everyone who reads this needs to remember that we have the right and we must vote come November 8. I have heard people say that this election isn't worth it; this election is SO WORTH IT! My hope comes that each November, no matter who or what is on the ballot, we cast our votes because we are free. So my motherly advise is: GO VOTE, IT IS YOUR RIGHT, IT DEMONSTRATES YOUR PATRIOTISM. We publicly cry that we are citizens and patriots; voting is the ultimate of our rights, so exercise that right and vote!
Finally, let's look at the state of our church, and for me that is the state of the Presbyterian Church (USA). We have been beat up a whole lot lately, and we have been divided and spent a great deal of time talking about who's leaving and who's staying. In the middle of this mess we tend to forget, that we all are children of God, redeemed by Christ and filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. We tend to forget that we can have different opinions and diverse theology and yet we can still sit together every Lord's Day, side by side and sing praises to God, confess our sins, hear God's Word, and be called to ministry and mission to the world. We tend to forget that God is in control of everything and that God's hope is that all things will work for good for those who love and serve the Lord. So my hope, when it comes to the church, is in God and in all that God has planned for us as His chosen Children. My hope is in the fact that my Redeemer Lives; He lives in each of us, and calls us in exciting and different ways. My hope comes in how I see Presbyterian Disaster Assistance be ready to be in Haiti, Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina as the flood waters recede from hurricane Matthew. My hope comes when I read the blogs of our YAV's (Young Adult Volunteers) who are spreading God's love and grace all over the world. My hope comes when I hear the stories of our missionaries and where they are working globally. My hope grows each and every day as I hear the stories of how the church is growing and changing to meet the world where it is and share the love of God. My hope is in where and how God is pushing me to see the world differently.
I probably went on longer than usual but I have been struggling with what I have been hearing, seeing, reading and witnessing, and how God is stirring the pot of soup in which we live. I hope that my hope can help you in the days ahead.
Grace & Peace,
Olivia
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