New Beginnings

For your consideration…….

I am not going to lie. This is the message I got hours ago but bulked as I sometimes do. I continued to ask. Is this the message? I pulled a card and still the message remained the same. Today we are to talk about “new beginnings”.

Why did I bulk?

We have so many fellow Americans in unbelievable pain in the heart, mind and soul. Many are suffering physically. We see the unbelievable devastation that surrounds not only their homes but their entire community.

I bulked because I do not in any way want this blog to seem trite. I do not want to minimize in any way the magnitude of suffering of those fellow Americans.

Still today we are being reminded that for every ending there is indeed a new beginning. Yes, the water did rise and rage. But it has receded. Yes, many are without power. But the sun did rise brightly today. We mourn the loss of life. But we can celebrate the thousands who were spared.

We can mourn that the lives of thousands will never be the same. But for every one of them there will be  new beginnings.

Perhaps faith in their fellow man will be restored. New friendships will undoubtably be formed. Others will be more deeply bonded. Belief systems will be revisited. Or where there was lack in confidence they may find their core strength. Maybe a new opportunity will be seized that would previously been passed up. Change can be hard. Some people who would not volunteer before will do so now and reap those rewards. Others, fiercely independent will  learn to accept the help and support of other caring fellow Americans. Certainly all will learn the value of community on a whole deeper level as should we all.

We are God’s children. We are Americans. We can and will mourn, pick ourselves up, brush ourselves off and rebuild new dreams. That is who we are.

That is the HOPE. And so it is.

New Beginnings

by Gertrude B. McClain

It’s only the beginning now
…a pathway yet unknown
At times the sound of other steps
…sometimes we walk alone

The best beginnings of our lives
May sometimes end in sorrow
But even on our darkest days
The sun will shine tomorrow.

So we must do our very best
Whatever life may bring
And look beyond the winter chill
To smell the breath of spring.

Into each life will always come
A time to start anew
A new beginning for each heart
As fresh as morning dew.

Although the cares of life are great
And hands are bowed so low
The storms of life will leave behind
The wonder of a rainbow.

The years will never take away
Our chance to start anew
It’s only the beginning now
So dreams can still come true.

Bit by bit, piece by piece, HOPE by HOPE action steps anyone can take……

-Meditate/Pray. Go to the strength of your core and let it guide your life.

-Drink lots of water.

-Get outdoors and take in at least 10 deep breaths.

-Pause, throw up some prayers and blessings for those who are suffering today.

-If you are able to donate or to the Red Cross, please consider doing so.

-Consider volunteering.

-If you have an idea on how you can help, act on it.

-Be grateful.

What made me smile yesterday……

–The sun and beautiful sky.

-A wonderful ride up to Stillwater.

-My sister.

-Alex passed her training with flying colors. Was there any doubt? Not with me.

-Shannon and her family safe on a soccer get-a-way. Go AJ.

Love, Blessings and Gratitude,

Rev. Chris