Do any of you remember the poem by e.e. cummings , “I thank thee God for this amazing day”? I’ve loved it ever since I first met up with it in high school. I thought it was interesting how he did away with capital letters in the usual places. But, now I love it more and more as an exuberant expression of joy at God’s lavish creation, and of being taken out of oneself, to recognize our fragility - our dependence on God for our very breath. Here’s just a part:

        I who have died am alive again today,
        and this is the sun’s birthday;
        this is the birth day of life and love and wings;
        and of the gay great happening illimitably earth.

I hope we will take the time to tune in to God’s big picture, to be reminded that the world is so much bigger than us; that we are dependent on God for our lives. I hope we’ll be drawn to a new place of emotion and thanksgiving for God’s faithfulness and grace.

Blessings of strength and joy,
Pastor Ana

A couple of weeks ago, on a Saturday, one of our members became Christ to me.
That week had been particularly stressful.  I had tried to be all things to all people, supplying their needs as Jesus would.  This member met me in the hall and saw that I had the word “stress” written all over me.  She said, “Pastor Ana, you should let go and let God.”  We both laughed.  That was such a wise old sermon, one that, under many guises, I have preached to others over the years.

In seminary we were taught that pastors were supposed to be effective leaders, friends of children, counselors, and brilliant administrators.  We were expected to be smart, tireless, and always attentive to needs and opportunities in the pastoral ministry.  I longed to mirror Christ to my people and to serve Christ in them to the utmost degree.

Since then, I have learned how important it is to let other people be Christ to me.  This is what that member had done for me, and it was very effective. All people are, in fact, effective in bringing Christ to each other.  That’s why we are called, “the body of Christ.”  All of us minister in a way that is shared.

This is very good news for a pastor, and I know it’s good news to all of you who have encountered Christ in ministering to one another.

God’s blessings be with you today,
Pastor Ana

For today’s devotion, I would like to share with you a fragment of a poem that sruck me.  The author is Margaret Halaska.

Imagine God standing on your front porch…
God knocks at my door…”Rent is cheap,” I say.
“I don’t want to rent.  I want to buy,” says God…
“I might let you have a room or two.”
“I’d like to give you the whole house, but I’m not sure-“
“Think on it,” says God.  “I wouldn’t put you out…You’d have more space than you’ve ever had.”
“I don’t understand…”
“I know,” says God, “but I can’t tell you about that.  You’ll have to
discover it for yourself.  That can happen only if you let me have the whole house.”
“A bit risky,” I say.
“Yes,” says God, “but try me…”

God’s blessings of strength and joy be yours,
Pastor Ana