Sunday, September 14, 2008

Dear God,

We came together for a newcomer class. And as we introduced ourselves, I couldn't help but wonder how it is you bring certain people together. One has cancer, one has recently escaped from Kenya after her home and contents were burned down in the civil violence, one has a son, an explosives specialist, who will soon be deployed to the Middle East. One is working on her master's in nursing, another is working on her ph.D in nursing, another is caring for his father who has Alzheimer's.

They brought their fears, sadness, and worry to our church. But they also brought their faith. I was touched by the ways in which they believe you are carrying them. One believes she and her sons were spared through a miracle. Two couldn't stay long enough for the class so we are gathering together again on Sunday. Besides the class presentation, the questions and answers, I suspect we will have a faithfest, a sharing of our faith that holds us.

Your church is constantly being reshaped by the people you bring our way. Steve, Kay, and Naomi will teach us how to be remoulded by you during crises, tragedies, and uncertainty. They will walk among us as symbols of faith. Although the youngest member of the class has the cancer in his foot and cannot drive, he dresses up and walks down the street to where faith is gathering. What greater symbol of faith is there?

Our faith is a living entity, a live and breathing sign of your presence. Every time we gather together our faith is shared. If we have participated at all, in any way, our faith will not be the same as we depart from one another. As I listened to the three share their stories, I felt my own faith strengthed. I saw in their eyes a glimmer of your Son and I knew again that church is a faith community, a community of faith, living members of your body. And I could not help but whisper my praise into the universe, my own testimony of faith.

Steve, Kay, and Naomi,
witnesses to faith,
examples of a living hope.
O God,
make us worthy
to have them
in our midst.
Make us anew
that we too
shall be
the likeness
of your Son.
Our words,
our attitudes,
our behaviors,
our faith.
For after all,
we are
your body.
Fill us
with your gracious spirit
that we shall be
pure love.

Always, Andrea