Life has been quite challenging these past few weeks for so many including my family and me.  First came the devastating hurricanes with so much devastation and loss that it seemed insurmountable that life would ever return to normal.  But then God got to work in the hearts of the people who came from everywhere to do whatever they could to help those in need.  Some hiked miles into the mountains and saved a young mother who had given birth to her daughter alone during the worst of the storm.  Some who had lost their homes, jobs, and loved ones have spent long days volunteering to cook food for others who had also lost so much.  And so many have been prayer warriors pleading with God to comfort the grieving, heal the hurt, and bring hope to all this devastation.  And so, with this task that seemed insurmountable, we remember that all things are possible with God. 

This past week my family too faced a crisis.  My husband, who is usually the picture of health spent the week in the Cardiac Care Unit for some pretty serious heart blockages.  And I was diagnosed with a fractured spine at the same time.  Again, God was a work in the hands of his healthcare team, the feet of family and friends who came together to help us, and the outpouring of prayers and love that came from all around us.   We are both on the mend and are so grateful for all the ways God has blessed our lives. 

There have been many events of loss and tragedy in our church family and community in the past weeks that also make my heart heavy today.  But I hold fast to faith knowing that God will walk each of us through this difficult time individually and collectively as community.   Like the faithful believers of the past, we can“chose not to allow fear or discouragement to triumph, to consume our focus, or otherwise to unintentionally limit what is possible” (Rosario Picardo).  

We can apply this same concept as we look toward our future as Christ’s church and vow to not allow ourselves to be limited by the fear of change.  We, like most other churches in America, are facing challenging times ahead as our society has changed and, so we must faithfully adapt to these changes keeping our hearts aligned with Christ Jesus.  We have begun our listening sessions to hear your thoughts, ideas, fears, and needs.  Please join us for one of the upcoming Town Hall Listening sessions so that together we make the best decisions that God is calling us toward.

May you always remember that All things are possible with God!

Blessings,

Pastor Karla

 

 

 

 

 

                                    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blessings,

 Pastor Karla