Thoughts from the Pastor ... September 6th, 2017

Thoughts from the Pastor ... September 6th, 2017:

I’ve heard way too many stories recently of various homes and businesses that have been told that they need to evacuate, and they can only go in for a short while and grab the necessary things that they need.

And its made me wonder, “What would I take?”  I mean… given that situation, what would I take?  What would I take from my home, and what would I take from this church?  Years and years of memories and tradition lay innocently in these places, and I carry responsibility for both home and church in very unique and serious ways.  What would my family need?  What can’t be replaced?  What would the church be lost without?  What is valuable?  Better… what is priceless?

In my mind, I’ve been narrowing down that list.  I am well aware that if I were actually in such a situation I wouldn’t have the time I have taken to think this through, but since I do have this type of opportunity, I’d like you to have it as well. 

What would you run in for?  What could you not leave without?  What would we run into St Paul to get?  And, why? 

Make that list for yourself.  And don’t forget the, “why” because that seems to be the most important part of the process.   

When it really comes down to what is priceless to you … what is it and why?

Are they priceless to you because the world says so, or because you say so?  Are they valuable because they are things that you love and care about?  Are they people and pets that you love?  Do they bring you and your family comfort?  Are they part of your family legacy?  Are they the things that you and your loved ones need to feel safe and secure?  Do you see how the “why” is such an important question?  

The more I thought about it, the more precise my list got and the more vivid my “why” became.  I’d take these specific things because I want to continue on.  These are the things I would take because they would comfort me and my people as we figured out what to do next.  I’d want to take enough that future generations know their story of how they came to be, but mostly I’d want everyone in my life to know that no matter what someday life will spring forth from this.  And while my mattress is so very comfortable, that’s not going to be the thing that I try to haul out of my house.   Nor am I unbolting the pews or even the pulpit from our sanctuary.  

Once I made my list, part of me felt very comforted in the realization that these are things that I have with me right now.  These few priceless things I would run in for are things that can comfort me today, and remind my family and congregation that tomorrow, there is hope.  And that realization is a gift.  Understating why things are valuable for you is a wonderful reminder of how very lucky we are to have them.  And this is a good time to bring them in closer, and to honor the priceless things that are next to us right now.  

Continue to pray my friends for those who have to make these decisions quickly, for those who serve to keep the floods and flames at bay, and for the earth that will one day rise from the water and ash of today.