“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”
-Ecclesiastes 3:1
As pastors, we have the wonderful privilege of seeing the entire life cycle in the people with whom we serve. We see babies shortly after they are born, and then have the opportunity to baptize them, welcoming them into the family of God. We see children in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School as they expand their knowledge and love of God. We am blessed to be able to present third graders with what for many is their first Bible.
We see youth as they move into Middle School and youth group. We get to teach Confirmation to these students, and then celebrate with them as they finish that part of their journey. We have the wonderful opportunity of helping these youth celebrate their graduations from high school and college, congratulating them on the completion of this step of their journey and offering a blessing for the next steps.
As these young people grow older, some will choose their life partner, and we am invited to help prepare for and officiate at their wedding. Some of these couples will have children, and the cycle for that infant begins. For the adults the journey continues.
We am invited into hospital rooms when injury or illness occurs, and when death is imminent, we are often called upon. We gather with families to care for the grieving and plan a funeral. And in the midst of death, we celebrate life.
Sometimes these events are spread out over the course of a year; other times they come quickly. This month has been one of those periods. We’ll celebrate two baptisms, the end of the Sunday School year, graduation, Confirmation, and a funeral. And I wonder why events pile up the way they do. But then I remember, it’s not my plan, not my schedule – it’s God’s.
“He [God] has made everything suitable for its time”
-Ecclesiastes 1:11
I continue to cherish the opportunity to experience birth and death and all of the events in between. I give thanks that God has called me and offered me the privilege of walking life’s journey – the full circle of life – with folks. And I give thanks that at every stage of life – of my life and the lives of others – God is there, too.
The words of a newer hymn, “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry,” remind us of that. It’s as if God sings to us:
“I was there to hear your borning cry, I’ll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized, to see your life unfold.”
Let's Chat!
-Ecclesiastes 3:1
As pastors, we have the wonderful privilege of seeing the entire life cycle in the people with whom we serve. We see babies shortly after they are born, and then have the opportunity to baptize them, welcoming them into the family of God. We see children in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School as they expand their knowledge and love of God. We am blessed to be able to present third graders with what for many is their first Bible.
We see youth as they move into Middle School and youth group. We get to teach Confirmation to these students, and then celebrate with them as they finish that part of their journey. We have the wonderful opportunity of helping these youth celebrate their graduations from high school and college, congratulating them on the completion of this step of their journey and offering a blessing for the next steps.
As these young people grow older, some will choose their life partner, and we am invited to help prepare for and officiate at their wedding. Some of these couples will have children, and the cycle for that infant begins. For the adults the journey continues.
We am invited into hospital rooms when injury or illness occurs, and when death is imminent, we are often called upon. We gather with families to care for the grieving and plan a funeral. And in the midst of death, we celebrate life.
Sometimes these events are spread out over the course of a year; other times they come quickly. This month has been one of those periods. We’ll celebrate two baptisms, the end of the Sunday School year, graduation, Confirmation, and a funeral. And I wonder why events pile up the way they do. But then I remember, it’s not my plan, not my schedule – it’s God’s.
“He [God] has made everything suitable for its time”
-Ecclesiastes 1:11
I continue to cherish the opportunity to experience birth and death and all of the events in between. I give thanks that God has called me and offered me the privilege of walking life’s journey – the full circle of life – with folks. And I give thanks that at every stage of life – of my life and the lives of others – God is there, too.
The words of a newer hymn, “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry,” remind us of that. It’s as if God sings to us:
“I was there to hear your borning cry, I’ll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized, to see your life unfold.”
Let's Chat!
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