A WORD FROM THE PASTOR…..But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes, its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. (Jeremiah 17:7-8)
Dear Friends in Christ,
Happy Spring! As I write to you this week, the sun is shining, the cloudless sky is brilliant blue, the last patches of icy snow are melting and the stream near my house is noisily rushing along, its water topped with white caps, as it races over the larger rocks and stones. This morning I looked out to see deer grazing on the fresh green patches in the yard and noticed that there are buds on the apple and cherry trees that were planted last fall. The earth is warming and the water is flowing up from the frozen ground as new life emerges again.
All this new energy around the changing season has me thinking about the possibility that there are new ways to look at the challenges of the pandemic. We’ve been focused on how difficult the time is and how much we miss doing things the way we used to do them – but what if there are positive changes that came about through the pandemic? What are the signs of new life, new beginning and new possibilities as we begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel and look forward to a return to some of our longed-for pre-Covid pleasures?
Well, it’s interesting because people who study these things can already see some positive changes and new opportunities that are the result of the pandemic. Here are a few for our consideration:
- There is a new focus on genuine connections, relationships and family. Focusing on only a few relationships has deepened their bonds. Families are finding a new for more genuine connections.
- Corporations are being challenged to demonstrate a commitment to excellence in how they care for customers, employees, communities, and the environment.
- General hygiene has improved and people are more courteous (generally) about staying away from others when they are sick (not just with Covid).
- There have been innovations in tools and software that will benefit businesses, schools and homes. Remote work has become easier and mainstream (not just for the very wealthy anymore).
- Living peacefully together in a global network is a new priority for many, as we recognize how closely interconnected we are in a “smaller” global community.
- Reimagined education, especially college and advanced programs, have become more readily accessible, more affordable and digitized.
- GRATITUDE! There is a deepened awareness of how fragile life is and how important it is to be grateful for all of life’s blessings and joys – especially the “simple” things that are easy to take for granted.
As I think of the tree planted by the water image from the Book of Jeremiah (see above) and how the water must bubble up out of the frozen ground to bring new life to the plants and trees in springtime, I find I’m thinking, too, about the frozen time of the pandemic and the “winter of challenge” it brought. How wonderful to see how that time has been “watered” and “nurtured” by God so that out of that hard, cold ground, drought stricken lives are blooming with new life and new possibilities. What a wonderful reminder to us that for those who are planted by the waters of God’s nurturing spirit, there is nothing to fear – not winters’ cold or summer’s drought. We will survive and thrive because of God’s care!
In the meantime, stay safe! You remain in my prayers….and remember, I love you and I need you to survive!
Peace,
Pastor Betsy
