“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? 5Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor.”
Psalm 8:3-5
The weather has finally warmed enough that I could sit out by the fire pit one night this week watching the flames as the stars began to appear in the sky. I long for those evenings, which are too rare, when the world grows quiet for a little while, and I can breathe in the wonder of the world around me, and find a bit of respite from the crush of events long enough to remember what a blessing it is to live in this time and place. Even more, what a blessing it is to live in the presence of our God who surrounds and fills our good days with grace, and supports and sustains our dark days with his peace.
We are entering the summer season, known in the church calendar as ‘ordinary time’. That does not mean it is any way less important, only that the seasons of festivals like Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost are behind us. Now is the time when we are called to live our faith day to day. The church schedule may not be as full. Sunday School and confirmation classes are in hiatus until September, and family calendars are rapidly filling with events as well. But please don’t forget to take time, wherever you are, to breathe, and consider the wonder of being a part of God’s family.
The last months have shown me again and again what a powerful thing it is to belong to a family of faith. It has been a wonder to see the courage, compassion and spirit of Christ in the words and actions of this community of faith. Enjoy each day, each summer evening, as an opportunity to strengthen your family and your faith. Don’t forget to worship, we all feel the loss when your seat is empty. But even more don’t forget the constant presence and blessing of being a child of God.
