09/07/2025
🌿🕊️🌿Today I discovered something. As life is, or should be an opportunity to endlessly learn, I can assure you there are always opportunities if we remain open to them.
I discovered that being in worship, sharing the Word, which is LOVE, is truly life-giving. I rediscovered that being with people of faith, as imperfect as we all are, is also life sustaining. This doesn't mean we can be "sh*tty" to each other & that's ok. It means that "showing up" is sometimes the absolute best thing we can do for each other.
God (however you understand that word) is with us in all things in all times & places. And we are the manifestation of LOVE, tasked with making sure this lost & hurting world, so loved by God knows LOVE. It doesn't have to be expressed in grand gestures necessarily, although we currently do need some very intentional, strong work to take place because this hurting world cannot afford to wait. People are needlessly suffering, because of the deliberate choices of others to cause harm. This is not ok, it is not Christian, it is not of God.
I am feeling particularly moved this morning to share this reflection because it's been a challenging month. Yet living through worship & connecting with others, (within the congregation & another from a different experience, looking at you Robert Bangiola ) has given me hope & joy which I am much in need of.
I have not felt well for about a year ...had tests, nothing major showed up. A month ago (on our anniversary, August 8th mind you, 🙄) I ended up in the ER for one thing. That was addressed but apparently something else showed up.
Long story short, within that time I was told I need to see an oncologist. 5 physicians & 1 physicians assistant all said the same after seeing CT results from that ER visit.
One of those doctors was an oncologist who said I need to see an.... 🥁 roll please, oncologist, 🤔. He's just not sure he's the right one. 😭🤣
I had a biopsy a week ago & we're just waiting for the results. Whatever they are, it will be ok ... whatever ok looks like.
Some have suggested I don't say anything until we have the definitive results. But we each handle our experiences the way we do & frankly, it's the waiting that is wreaking havoc with my mind & heart. 🧠♥️
It's. EXHAUSTING.
🎼"The Waiting Is The Hardest Part" 🎶
We have spoken with some of you already directly & to everyone else, i do apologize for the way i am sharing this news. Sometimes I don't mind repeating the story, other times, well, this seemed a little bit more efficient.
I haven't had a lot of energy so thought to step back from preaching because of that but the energy I experienced in the pulpit these last couple of weeks have lifted my heart & spirit in such profound ways. 🔥🫶
I don't know what the future holds but God through my communities, my people, will manage that.
Thank you to everyone who has ever been there, to friends who put up with me, to those who encouraged me, to those who challenged me.
For the difficult times & people, well, that's part of life too. If I owe anyone an apology, please receive it if you can.
Again, don't know exactly what the situation is but taking it one day at a time.
I know prayers will be lifted, concern expressed & that what will be will be. 🌿🕊️🌿
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤🤍🩷🩵🩶
⚛️☮️☯️☪️✝️✡️🕎♾️🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Picture of Mama Hen with her new babies. Biblical reference intended. 🐣
