June Thoughts

​My mind is consumed these days with family care: a geriatric dog and cat, planning for burying my Dad in August, helping Jon’s parents with a move to Assisted Living and a Memory Ward in Manitoba near Jon’s brother David (Mum Anne is suffering from Alzheimer’s Dementia), mourning with Jon; with interviewing those discerning ordination with the Commission on Ministry; with the health and welfare of the St. James’ family, the Albion Community Garden and the Albion Literacy program.  This is a lesson in remembering that I don’t have to fix everything, that in fact it isn’t my job and being reminded to turn everything over to God.  This is so much easier said than done. 
 
Why do I think this is important?  What does it mean to turn everything over to God?
·         “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. ”, 1 Timothy 5:8.
·         It means trusting that God is active in our lives. 
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”, Philippians 4:6-7.
·         “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”, John 14:15.
·         And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”, Luke 10:25-28.
 
I really enjoyed the Parish Swap with Father Brian Coleman and St. Thomas, Battle Creek.  The biggest gift for me was that I felt able to worship, to really worship and praise God.  I think this is because I was not assuming responsibility for those in the congregation, but I was leading worship.  O God help me to turn over my worries to you and trust that you will help me find the way.  Release me from the constraints of worry and anxiety so that I am able to give you praise and thanksgiving!  This I ask in Jesus’ name.  Amen.