The Unexpected

My wife will be the first to tell you that I don’t deal well with “the unexpected.” I don’t like things sprung on me at the last minute. For many of us the last year brought difficulties. The unexpected and changing nature of how it all happened and not being able to plan brought stress into my life. That’s what I thought about yesterday morning when we all woke up to our “less than 1 inch of snowfall.” That was the heaviest less-than-1-inch-snowfall, I ever had to shovel!

Here’s what I need to be reminded of constantly: the unexpected is going to happen. We are called to be faithful and to trust God even in the midst of the uncertainty. One Bible version translates the beginning of Philippians 4:6 this way, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. . .” (New Living Translation). That’s a good way to think about it. I need to be reminded instead of worrying, to be praying instead.

I want to say thank you again to all of those who have been so helpful when things have been going unexpectedly. The Church Board especially has taken on much more than they could ever have foreseen in the year past.

But this is the first E-Gram of a new year—2021. Just like last year, we have no idea what’s ahead, but we are in the hands of an all-powerful God who cares for us.

Let’s continue to lift up one another in prayer and to encourage one another.

Love you all.

God bless,

Brian

Scriptures for this week

John 2:1-11—What does this passage make you wonder about the wedding customs of Jesus’ day? Deuteronomy 28:1-14—Describe the blessings listed here using today’s language and images. Psalm 34—What does this psalm tell us about God’s provision? Philippians 4:10-20—What does this passage say that is important to the mission of our congregation?