Blog & Pastor Letters

I love the verse in Sirach where it says, “My child, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.” This is an interesting concept for those of us who think a stewardship way of life is all about the giving of gifts. When we start to think that all we are called to do is give for the sake of giving, we have missed the point.

Facebook, Twitter, and other forms of social media can be powerful tools of communication. They allow people to stay in touch. They provide an avenue for fresh ideas. People can be engaged in conversations and be exposed to issues of the day in ways few could have dreamed of just a few decades ago. But social media can also give the false sense of really knowing someone, when only the surface has been scratched about who a person is in reality.

Have you ever written a check or seen the charge on the credit card machine that had far too many zeros on it for your comfort?

The brakes finally give up on the car you were hoping to nurse through the season. The water heater dies on the coldest week of the year. A medical procedure wasn’t totally covered by insurance. We’ve all been here in this place, being asked to part with a not-so-small sum of money for a not-so-fun reason.

What would happen if you found out right now that relatives of yours were coming into town tomorrow, and they hoped to stay with you? You can either tell them they can’t stay with you, or you immediately begin a process of furiously cleaning, straightening up, and grocery shopping in anticipation of your guests. If you don’t have to do anything to prepare because your home is perfect, clean, and fully stocked, perhaps you don’t live in your home or you are obsessive compulsive. I suspect most people reading this would go into panic mode!

A few months back, my wife and I helped move my oldest son into his frst real aparment. He was moving to star his frst real job and was excited and cautious at the same time. Moving him in reminded me of when his mother and I were frst staring out. We received an old couch from her aunt, some kitchen supplies from my mom, and many other things from friends and relatives so we could begin this new journey in our lives. We didn’t have much. But we had one another, and we had love. Looking back, those were great times.