Pastoral Message

     Happy New Year!  As we begin another secular calendar year, people tend to have hopes and dreams for the fresh slate ahead of us:  goals to achieve, habits to break, relationships to tend or mend… 

      As I approach another year of social media, I find that old adage can be very true:  “Comparison is the thief of joy”.  I’ve checked in on friends, thinking that they have been doing very well as I have seen their posts on media, only to find a very real answer; well FB life is not reality.  We can use pictures to present a beautiful shot of 1 moment, while all the other surrounding moments can be filled with chaos, heartache or pain.  Similarly, some of these posts are meant to convey a point of view that may be certain, controversial, judgmental, wrong, or any combination.  While I do not know the ins and out of social media or tech, I have found that other posts can offer grace, guidance, and invitation.  Only I have the power to determine whether or not I reply to or share either of these types of posts.  I try my hardest to only offer or share that which can be uplifting and encouraging.  I do this online and I do this in real life too.  If you have a positive, encouraging, grace-filled comment pop into your head about a person or situation, share it!  Be the kindness you want to see in the world (I think Ghandi said that better than I just did).  Offer hope, joy, peace and love; yes the very same attributes of Advent that started the Christian Year at the end of November.  Do not compare, simply offer back the love, kindness and forgiveness that God has already given to you.  Let this motivate your words, actions and year ahead.  Let’s do this!
 
Blessings!
Pastor Kristi