God Loves You – A Reflection

This has been yet another surreal day. As I watch the news around the world there is so much negativity and hatred. Fortunately, positive stories of people supporting and encouraging one another are beginning to surface. Isn’t it sad how good news gets lost in the shuffle as sensationalized bad news grabs all the headlines.

This afternoon Denise and I broke away from planning and preparation for virtual worship and fellowship to take a walk. During that walk we enjoyed the open and fresh air. We enjoyed time with the Canada Geese and dogs in the Dog Park. When we got back to the church we felt a weight lifted from us. Then we began preparing for our Midweek Virtual Service on Zoom. Our dear friends gathered to prepare the music. We worked out some last minute kinks. Then we offered to our faith community a time of fellowship and peace in the midst of it all.

I think one of the more challenging aspects of this new temporary (we pray) reality is how to be community in this time of isolation.

As a pastor the more I continue this journey I realize how little I know and how much is out there to learn and to absorb. God and God’s love and grace are so much greater than I can imagine. For such a wonderful gift and blessing I am continually thankful. As we walk this road together, I am truly humbled by God’s love and grace and the ones I am privileged to walk with. Thomas Merton’s words from his book No Man is an Island speak to me of the journey. It also humbled me as a preacher to hear his words and at the same time to find freedom in them.

“Whether you understand it or not, God loves you, is present in you, lives in you, dwells in you, calls you, saves you and offers you an understanding and compassion which are like nothing you have ever found in a book or heard in a sermon.” — Thomas Merton in No Man is an Island

As we continue this journey, dear reader, may we feel God’s love and presence in our midst. Thank