A Follower's Thoughts - Making Memories

We all love to make memories with our children. I have so many fond memories of my children when they were little. The trips to the beach were some of my fondest. Wendy and I would spend time with them on the beach making sandcastles, putting them on a float for the first time, and letting the waves carry them to shore; all the time, they were crying and screaming, hold me, hold me. I guess the ocean can be a little intimidating when you are a child. I also remember lying on the beach and letting my kids cover me in the sand until all you could see was my head. Oh, and another time my daughter climbed on a bar stool in the condo and fell off, breaking her wrist. Now, that was a memory, not so great when you spend one of your vacation days in the ER!

Some of my favorite memories are the times at church with our children: Wednesday night suppers in the Fellowship Hall, helping teach them in Sunday School, carrying them to Bible School, making Advent wreaths, watching them in Christmas plays, coaching them in Micro-Soccer, and yes, trying to keep my daughter from rolling around on the floor at the Arbor Service on Sunday mornings. You know, there is a saying, "it takes a village to raise a child." I wish to thank each one in my church village that helped build a foundation under my family, a foundation centered around Jesus.

As Christmas approaches, let us all continue to make memories with family, friends, and church family. Let us not forget what this season is about, Jesus. Isaiah 9:6 says, "For a child has been born, a son given to us, authority rest upon his shoulders: and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." May Jesus be included in our memories this Christmas, as well as every day moving forward. God Bless and Merry Christmas!

Correll Pritchard

I Want to Go to “You” House

In the past, I have avoided using “social media” as much as possible because you lose track of time when surfing Facebook posts and all the other things available. However, during this “Staycation” we are all experiencing social media, particularly “Face Time” has been a wonderful thing as we’re practicing “Social Distancing” with our family, friends, and work associates. It’s difficult when you want, but can’t, visit your children and grandchildren, but it is better to be safe in this current world environment. It’s even more difficult for young children who are used to seeing their Ce-Ce at least once a week, in person, to understand the complexities of having to be separated from the loving arms, hugs, and kisses of their Ce-Ce.

Recently, during a “Face Time” visit with our son and his family, our granddaughter said; “I want to go to YOU house, Ce-Ce!” “I know darling, but you can’t right now, I will see you soon”, sighed Ce-Ce. ” I want to go to YOU house, Ce-Ce!” she said with much more volume and inflection in her voice as if Ce-Ce didn’t understand. But oh, how she understood. “I sorry darling, not today, but soon, okay?” “I lub you Ce-Ce, I lub you, Pa-Pa!”, those sweet grandchildren shouted as we ended the call, with heavy hearts and almost in tears.

The “interaction interruption” that has recently plagued our world and altered our lives hasn’t been easy on anyone and has touched every aspect of our existence in some way, form, or fashion. This microscopic evil has created an unwanted paradigm shift in all our lives; meaning our lives will never be the same and the change will take us to a new normal; who knows what that will look like in the future and when we can begin again. However, we can hope we will come back stronger and more aware of what is truly important to all of us, God – Family - Career in this order.

Outside of the family interaction and workplace interruption, one of the most obvious and disturbing shifts is the suspension of our coming together as a church family for worship. When I think about it, our granddaughter’s words ring true and clear, “I want to go to YOU house. “, and I want to follow that up by saying, “I want to go to YOU house, Jesus.” I don’t want to take no for an answer or hear any other excuses why I can’t. However, for the sake of helping to keep our families, friends, community, and world safe and healthy we must comply and be patient, for now. We must continue praying for His healing touch on our lives and our world. When the healing comes and it will, we need to celebrate by filling our places of worship to overflowing and share our faith, hope, joy, and unconditional love like He intended for us to do.

Difficult times are calling for leaders to correct and direct the people back to the narrow path. They are gifted the skills and the power over people. This gift is not to brow-beat the people or hit them over the head with the Bible but to show them the way through their walk, actions, and reactions. Effective leaders emerge during difficult times to speak the cause for righteousness. They are truly burdened by the world’s condition and want to help by being a source of light and hope. As we watch effective spiritual leaders in action, we should be reminded that we serve a God of order and harmony, not of chaos as Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 14:33, “God is not the author of confusion but of peace.” 

During this “interaction interruption” we are being transformed. We as leaders need to understand that our leadership is needed now more than ever because leadership is about transformation, not mere information. However, information is important to transformation as leaders challenge the people to pray in the Spirit. They share hope and unconditional love for the people. They have compassion on the doubters and help lead them into the Light. 

I encourage each of us, once this too has passed, to go to YOU house, Jesus and celebrate His love and forgiveness with our Church family. As leaders in our homes, communities, and organizations, be the hope and the light for others to follow. Stay focused, be safe and do all you can to make a difference and value to others. 1 Corinthians 14:33

Have a wonderful day,

James Dodwell