WORD FROM THE PASTOR - MAY 2023

 Sometimes you just have to learn from experience. This is something that has been brought into light for me through my children. As a parent, I do my best to help my children learn. When I see concerning behavior, I tell them and I always try to explain why do or don’t do something. Yet, sometimes you can explain over and over, but they just either haven’t listened or choose to ignore what you have told them. For instance, you tell your son not to stand on a roll of newsprint as if it’s a log in a river because they are likely to fall and hurt themselves, probably breaking a bone. Then, you get a phone call that they have done so and that they are complaining their arm hurts. I love my son, but sometimes I just have to shake my head and ask if they’ve finally learned the lesson. 

This behavior makes me wonder if God feels the same way about us. The Bible is a love story of God for creation where God asks things of humankind. Don’t eat the fruit, don’t murder, don’t lie, remember the sabbath day and keep it holy, etc., etc., etc. Yet Adam and Eve did, Cain did, Abraham did, the people of Noah’s time didn’t, etc., etc., etc. God still loved his creation and eventually wanted them to hear the lessons through himself in Jesus. God wanted humanity to experience the forgiveness and love, not just while it is here on earth, but for eternity. So, God experienced the worst of humanity as Jesus was tried, beaten, and crucified. Yet God loved. At Easter we celebrate the love of God shown in the empty tomb and the gift of our victory over death which allows us to experience life with God forever. 

We still have lessons to learn, and many of them are revealed for us in the scriptures, but, like children do, we sometimes don’t follow those lessons, and we too experience the consequences of our decisions. Yet, God still loves us. God cares for us and seeks to comfort our wounds asking if we have learned anything from our experience. What a comfort to know that even when I make mistakes and face the consequences of my actions in this world, God still loves me. God still accepts me. God still helps me learn and grow. 

As we celebrate Pentecost at the end of the month, may we remember that God is with us. God still helps us learn and grow. God’s love upholds and forgives us. 
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Serving with you in Christ, 
Pastor Beth