At a recent presbytery meeting we shared in conversation about “those whose shoulders we stand on.” We were encouraged to remember those who invested in our lives and influenced us to become who we are today. Sometimes these life investments were for a moment, while others were long term. Yet regardless of the length of time, we are standing on the shoulders of others. When we look down, who do we see?
On this 28th anniversary of my ordination as Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church, USA, I look down and see many people who have been a part of my journey of life and faith. My dear mother played the greatest part, being a constant example of love, sacrifice and faithfulness, in sunshine and shadow, on days good and bad, through all the years. My home church, its pastors, teachers and faithful members nurtured me in the faith. I remember riding the bus with a group of friends to another little mountain town to attend a presbytery youth rally – “Each of Us Has Our Own Special Calling” – with a Snoopy and Charlie Brown theme, and remember wondering if that was true for me! How well I remember the day our pastor dropped me off on “the wrong side of town” on a hot summer afternoon with a kick ball, a jar of lemonade and some paper cups! By the end of that summer, a Bible School was up and running among the poorest of the poor. While I worked as “home mission worker” for two summers during my college years, my growing sense of call led me to a career of teaching public school in the mountains. For 38 years I lived in this special place, married, had three children and enjoyed years of being a “stay at home” Mom as they grew. But God had another plan for my life, and I began to open up to that plan.
About that time, a pastor came along who encouraged me to listen more closely to the call of God in my life; one who saw some gifts that were unrecognized, unexplored and undeveloped. Then came seminary interns and Christian Education interns to work among us- each one challenging me to be more, and to explore my growing sense of call. I remember being on the playground one day and turning to a fellow teacher to say, “That bush over there is burning.” (Moses at the burning bush, remember?) She replied that I should take off my shoes, that I was on holy ground. She knew that God was at work in my life and was there to encourage and help me find the way.
Several years later, I stood “between the known of my past, and the vast unknown of the future ahead.”
Why do I feel I must go through this door?
Because God calls me…
Believing in the God whose will is wholeness,
Believing in the Christ who will guide me on the journey,
Believing in the Holy Spirit who gives us each the power to do more than we can believe or dare to ask for,
believing all this, I step across the edge of time,
through the door into the future on my journey to wholeness in Christ.”
(from Images, by Joyce Grana)
Now it’s 30 some years later, and I look down and see all who have been a part of my journey of life and faith, and I give thanks. The choice was made – and saying yes to one possibility was saying no forever to the other way, but I believe that God has been in the choosing. In all the comings and goings of ministry, from place to place and year to year, it’s been a “roughish and beautiful” road, filled with challenges, with grace and goodness, and always with the hope that God was ever at work in and through my life.
Giving thanks for all that has been and all that is yet to be, for those streams of mercy, never ceasing, carrying us through this life into all that is to come and for traveling mercies along the way!
Elizabeth
The current edition of Presbyterians Today tells of a mission/service project sponsored by the Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church in Lexington, Ky. My brother attended Maxwell Street Presbyterian during his years in the UK College of Dentistry. He often spoke of the church’s involvement in the community.
“On Thursday evenings all throughout the year, there’s a dinner at Maxwell Street for “those experiencing homelessness and financial instability”. Anywhere from 30-130 people attend Maxwell Street’s Thursday might meals, but the event is about more than just food – it’s about building relationships. Listening to those who come from week to week, and getting to know them, they recognized all were big Wildcat fans! “That’s kind of a requirement in Lexington,” it was said!
The weekly volunteers wanted to do something beyond the Thursday dinner that would bring “a little extra joy” into the lives of those who were coming. They came up with “A Slam Dunk of a Service Idea” - and the annual “Souper Saturday” event became reality.
“When the Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball team lost its showdown a few months ago at the University of Tennessee, it didn’t dampen the warmth of the spirits of those watching the game on a big projector screen at Maxwell Street Presbyterian which sits next to the University of Kentucky (UK) campus in Lexington.” Those “experiencing homelessness and financial instability” were welcomed by university students and church volunteers who served them a meal and plenty of snacks and desserts during the broadcast of the game that followed. A handful of UK cheerleaders came to join in the fun!
A few weeks ago, I attended a meeting of local pastors, gathered to discuss needs in our “neighborhood” in this part of our county. I noticed many around the table spoke of “homelessness” – not “the homeless”. I noticed the article I read speaks of “financial instability” – not “the poor.” I believe that helps a great deal in communicating the truth that these are circumstances of life to be dealt with, not words that define those experiencing those circumstances. These are helpful new thoughts to me. We agreed to gather again very soon to talk further about ways to work together to address such circumstances, to share with each other the resources available, and to bring hope to folks in our “neighborhood.” Perhaps we can come up with a “slam dunk of a service idea” of our very own!
Giving thanks for mission/service opportunities that put our faith into action, build relationships, and share the love of God with all of God’s children……and for those streams of mercy, carrying all of us toward a new and better day.
Elizabeth
During worship yesterday, we had a special time of remembering those who gave their lives to secure the freedoms we enjoy. We began by sharing names of those we know who gave their lives in military service. I was blessed to remember my mother’s cousin, who died on Omaha Beach in the D-Day Invasion, and a friend who died in Vietnam the year after we graduated from college. As the daughter of a Marine who served in the Pacific during WWII, this day has always meant a great deal to me. It was an honor and blessing to travel with my brother to my father’s Marine Division reunions through the years. I came across these words last week and give thanks for the heart that penned them. I share them with you:
“The freedoms we enjoy, the freedoms we take so much for granted, the freedoms we so often trifle with were bought not by the gold of our millionaires, nor altogether the genius of our scientists, nor the sacrifices of the people at home, but primarily by the blood, sweat and agony of those whose names on this day we honor – those who died that we might live! They found, as have brave men of all ages, that there are principles well worth dying for. Their noble, unselfish sacrifice is a silent, eloquent rebuke to the self-centeredness of this generation. Let those who want “peace at any price” remember this day that thousands have died for honor and freedom and that what we have today has come at the price of shed blood.”
In a prayer written for Memorial Day, Presbyterian Outlook editor, Jill Duffield reminds us that “what we remember of the past shapes who we are today, and influences how we will act tomorrow.” She prayed for “the wisdom to allow the memory of those who died for a cause greater than themselves, to form our words, opinions and decisions in ways that honor them.”
May each of us be a part of the answer to her prayer as we live our lives from day to day.
Elizabeth