Sunday and Every Day
My wonderful wife has somehow managed to keep track of all the art projects our kids did when they were little, some of which are holiday themed. This time of the year all sorts of pink and red heart crafts make an appearance around our house. I am currently looking at a wonderful piece created when Neil was 14 months old. Christmas ornaments and painted eggs also make an appearance in the appropriate seasons. I see pictures of my little ones from just a few years ago and marvel at how much they’ve grown.
I have a tree in my office that was only about 4-5 inches tall when I got it my first year of ministry. It is now several feet tall and reminds me of all the experiences I have had in my role since I was ordained almost 19 years ago. Is it the same tree? Well, yes and no. Keepsakes have value because of our relationship to the moment they came to us. The heart craft Neil made captures a moment – it is a touchpoint for one of the many special times in our lives.
I believe there are few places that encompass this experience more than church. So many important moments happen in the shared space we call our religious home. When we welcome new people to Holy Spirit, I am reminded that every single one of us entered our holy space for the first time at some point. Our connection grows and deepens as we continue to return to our church and this is something I pray each new visitor will one day be able to reflect back on.
May the weekly reminder of God’s grace for you be a touchpoint. May the Good News give context to the rest of your daily life. Finally, may the permeation of God’s love for you shine through this day and all the days to come.
We love you and God loves you,
Josh Condon+