The flurry of activity that began with the Faith and Blue weekend followed by a week with a graveside funeral, wedding, and Disciples of Christ Gathering is behind me. And now I can rest, look up, and see how God has watched over me throughout it all.
Midweek I received a text from the daughter of the one whose mom passed. She wrote, “for some reason, I keep hearing Psalm 121 as the scripture for my mom.” I had already prepared my week’s message which happens to be on Psalm 121. All that was left for me to do was to add in a few stories.
On Saturday, I looked up and saw I was not doing the wedding alone. I had a team. From Jeannie coming in early to clean up the sanctuary, Howard continuing to weed and care for our courtyard, Jeannie lining the large procession up, Karla running sound, and Max playing piano for forty minutes before they all arrived, we provided a beautiful service for the bride and groom. It turns out, their family found us five years ago and continues to use our sanctuary for their celebrations. They consider us “their church.”
I could not attend every session of the Disciples of Christ gathering, but the one I did watch with Sandhya Jha was a good message. Given the text around Joshua’s conquest of Cana, she exhorts us to not tell the old stories of what we deserve but looks for how we might use what we know today to write a new story.
You can watch it too. The first thirty minutes are people telling of the consequences of COVID to their families. Then there is worship and Sandhya gives the message.
Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWBrm0dQBPg
Even though I couldn’t watch all of the online gathering, Linda did and is still considering the lessons taught including how being uncomfortable is not the same as being in danger. As I look up, I am convinced it was she who was meant to be there.
Finally, I think of the walk I took with someone who is becoming a friend on Friday. After the funeral, instead of collapsing onto my couch, I walked with Laura by the river. And I listened to her story of provision where when she looked up, she realized she could live differently and is starting to do so.
On this Sunday, I encourage you to look up and see how God is leading you in this time of your life. You are not alone. You don’t have to do it all. And, it may be you can choose, this day, to live differently, trusting God more to provide what you need.
Blessings and Love,
Heather
Reverend Heather DeVoe Miner, M.Div
Rev. Heather served as the pastor at NLBCC until 2022. She continues to spread the loving and inclusive message of Christ, serving a church in Boise, Idaho.
