Streams of Mercy

I was grateful for the opportunity to return to a former congregation to celebrate a life well lived – a person who had been a great encouragement and blessing to me in my life and ministry during my years there. I was there for this moment in time, for this task at hand, but my heart remembered other times in this special place.

During my years there, both my parents died, all three of my children were married and all of their children baptized in this church family. I remembered busy days of 9-5 office hours, working with many committees, Stephen Ministry, Deacons and Church School. I saw children I remembered as being “children on the steps” all grown up, and with children of their own. I remembered the pastors I’d worked with and the things learned from each. I remembered familiar faces no longer there and gave thanks for each one that came to mind.

I noticed many renovations and fresh, new signage; another organist was in place; a new hymnal was used. Beautiful wood floors, minus the red carpet made for wonderful acoustics! The stained glass windows are as beautiful as ever, and I was blessed to remember a story about one of them and the dear child of God who told it.

There was a dear “mentally challenged” member, who once rode her “adult” tricycle to church each Sunday from her home nearby, and now lived in a local rest home. When I visited her one day she told me she watched the service on television. She went on to say, “Jesus still had that little lamb in his arms.” She was speaking of the large window picturing Jesus, the Good Shepherd, watching over his sheep, holding the little lamb in his arms.

Coming back to this sanctuary I see differences all around – in the building, in the staff and in myself. In the midst of all the change, “Jesus still had that little lamb in his arms.” And he always will.

I give thanks for my journey of life and faith, for all the people and places I’ve known in ministry and for the assurance that Jesus still has that little lamb in his arms.

Elizabeth