When Pastor Lowell asked me to help with a blog while he was away, I struggled with an idea at first. Then it occurred to me, our path at Lord of Life, and our experiences have a story to tell.
It's sometimes hard to describe the impact a place, a person, or experience has upon us. Lord of Life has been no different for me. Explaining the profoundness of our people, this place, my experiences, would be nothing short of impossible.
Having grown up in the Lutheran faith with family origins in the earliest Lutheran Church my childhood was filled with reminders of God's love for us. One particular constant memory is of the footprints in the sand story. A picture of this hung on the wall at my grandparents home, my aunts homes, and my home.
The footprints story is taken from many verses in the Bible. One is Isaiah 46:4: "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you". God's love always meets us where we are, carrying us when we need it.
As we explore Sabbath as a congregation, the visual of God carrying us, sustaining us, has allowed me thoughtful consideration. Time to consider how our faith family has woven into my life and the lives of my children. How it has carried me, sustained me.
In the nine years since I started attending; our congregation has met me as I am. It has held me in its arms, offered refuge, grieved alongside me, challenged me, provided a caring network of friends, supported the growth of my children in their faith, celebrated my love and provided deep joy and solace through worship.
Lord of Life, our community of love and acceptance makes me so proud. I'm so glad you're here with me on this journey. Proud to live, share and celebrate with each of you in this very special place.
May your experience of Sabbath in this season bring you peace.
Sarah Norman