From the Pastor's Pen

Dear friends, 

Sometimes I am quite astounded by how much I don’t know these days.  Before Coronavirus I felt like there was so much certainly.  My weekly and monthly schedule was mostly establish with some variation.  I knew how to approach my work at the church.  I had plans for when and how I would see my family. There were events to which I was looking forward.  There were familiar patterns and traditions around the holidays and vacations.  And I felt safe as I wondered around town and at work and among friends and family. Now, I am quite astounded by how much I don’t know.

I suspect the truth is we never know quite as much about what’s real in our lives and what’s possible in the future as we think we do.  Here’s an interesting poem by Thomas Merton.

My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.

Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think that I am following Your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please You
does in fact please You.
And I hope that I have that desire
in all that I am doing.

And I know that if I do this,
You will lead me by the right road
although I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust You always,
though I may seem to be lost
and in the shadow of death,
I will not fear, for You are ever with me,
and will never leave me
to face my perils alone.

In all the unknown in these days, I am trusting God to lead me and to lead us.  O Lord, help us to follow closely.

Peace,

Pr. Sally