From the Pastor's Pen

Dear friends,

I think the photo says it all today.  Such a rainy, sleepy day!   Some days are like that.  I took this photo in the morning when it was still raining and Theo (my Bassett) was clearly trying to sleep it away.  Later in the afternoon, Theo curled up next to me on this same couch to encourage me as I was trying to write my sermon on this dreary day.

Although I know most of us prefer the bright sunshiny days, the rain is essential to life.  In fact, in the Bible rain is considered a blessing, in part because the absence of rain leads to drought which was terrifying in earlier times.  Drought is still as source of great tragedy in our day.

The apostle Paul once commented on the importance of rain.  He and Barnabas had found their way into the completely pagan community of Lystra.  When Paul healed a man who had been crippled from birth, the townspeople decided Paul and Barnabas were the gods Zeus and Hermes and tried to offer sacrifices to them.  Paul and Barnabas immediately tore their clothes at such blasphemy and began to preach to them about the one true God who made heaven and earth, the sea and all things.  And Paul suggested that God’s gift of rain was evidence of God’s goodness to us all.  “Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”  Acts 14: 17.

On this cloudy day, I hope you will be reminded of God’s gifts – even the ones we take for granted and complain about.  Surely the rain that waters the earth is a blessing.

As always,

Pr. Sally