Skip to main content

Words from the Board...Bulletin Board that is

I have a bulletin board hanging on my office wall; it has various things thumb tacked to it. At some point each of the things hanging there were important to me. I suppose since they are still hanging there even after making a 740 mile move cross country, they are still important. The things hanging on this board vary in shape, size, meaning, and appearance. A Chalice sun catcher, a map of the church, several cards from family and friends, a picture of my paternal grandparents in front of the "Arc de Triumph" during WWII, my father’s obituary, the preaching schedule, and a couple crosses…just to name a few.
When I am sitting at my desk, this bulletin board is on my left; every time I glance at it the same thing catches my eye. I am always drawn to the same card. I believe I received this card at my Ordination and if memory serves I received three or four of this same card that day. The card reads; “Be who you are. Do what you love. Make a difference. Change the world.”  What a statement. What a challenging and worrisome thought to catch my eye every time I glance at the board. Challenging because it calls me again and again to remember what God has called me to do.
God calls me everyday to “be who I am”- A child of God, made in God’s image.
God calls me everyday to “do what I love”- Serve others in the name of Jesus Christ, not because of the reward I receive but, because there is nothing else I can imagine myself doing.
God calls me everyday to “make a difference”- Even if I do not see the difference immediately.
God calls me everyday to “change the world”- Not by discovering the cure for cancer, or ending world hunger, or restoring peace, but by doing little things that might inspire others to do little things, which might change the world for the better.

Of all the things hanging on my bulletin board this one little card, with these four powerful statements, remind me again and again why I brave the waters of ministry…Because God calls-and I guess I am confident enough in my swimming abilities to jump in the water feet first!

Comments

  1. Maggie SebastianNovember 7, 2010 at 6:30 AM

    Really - you moved a bulletin board as is across the country??? God blesses us when people like you listen to the Spirit and follow no matter where it leads. And my friend, you are a very strong swimmer.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownNovember 7, 2010 at 8:20 AM

    I for one am glad you have no fear of the waters. It isn't easy to listen to the spirit and even harder to say "yes I hear you".

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Prayer for the Week

picture from churchart.com My prayer this week is not my own but is a song entitled “The Blessing” by Celtic Woman. I spent the day at a spiritual retreat center and this is the song that kept coming to my mind. I wanted to share it with you (whoever reads this blog) In the morning when you rise I bless the sun, I bless the skies I bless your lips, I bless your eyes My blessing goes with you In the night time when you sleep Oh, I bless you while a watch I keep As you lie in slumber deep My blessing goes with you   This is my prayer for you There for you, ever true Each every day for you In everything you do And when you come to me And hold me close to you I bless you And you bless me too When your weary heart is tired If the world would leave you uninspired When nothing more of love's desire My blessing goes with you   When the storms of life are strong When you're wounded, when you don't belong When...
2 comments
Read more

A Reflection and an Offering to Reflect

 This past Thursday November 5th, was 10 years since I posted my very first blog here. I have been very sporadic in my writing. I have not gained a huge following and that is ok with me. I started this space as a space for me. A space to reflect, to share, to my own insight(often because it differs with where the congregation I am serving stands on some things). I do hope it is a space for those who follow and those who happen upon it, are able engage in some way. Even if that engagement is to say, "I don't agree".  As I continue on my journey of becoming a spiritual director, I hope this space will become one where people can spend time in their own reflection, meditation and prayer. I hope to offer more opportunity for anyone who reads this to engage in an active prayer life.  Here is a reflective vespers service I wrote for this year's Women's retreat for the Christian Church (DOC) in the Upper Midwest. This was a closing vespers service but could be used at an...
Post a Comment
Read more