Greetings, my friends.

I’ve wanted to write a post for a few days, but I wasn’t sure what to write about. Then, I came home this afternoon after worshiping with my church family, teaching Kids’ Crew, having lunch with friends, and visiting Mom & her dog. I remembered that I missed the sermon since I was back with kids, so I pulled up Facebook and forwarded to the sermon.

As I listened to Pastor Brynen, my mind often connected my lesson to the kids to his message to the older-than-kids. I thought I’d share those things with you.

Back in Crew, our lesson came from Mark 10. As we talked about it, I shared how Jesus wanted to let the children come to Him and He corrected the disciples. I pointed out that even though the disciples had been with Him as He preached and ministered….that they still had things to learn. Just like their parents, the pastors, and I do. We talked about what it meant to come to Jesus like a child and how children want to spend time with people and get to know them, how they have faith easier and learn easier. That we, as adults, can learn a lot from children. [Side Note: It was quite warm in the Crew Room, so this is a fair illustration. LOL]

Fast forward to the message I listened to from Pastor Brynen. He pointed out how scripture says we are God’s TREASURED POSSESSION even though we mess up a lot…and fail to have the faith we’re called to have. [Seems we still need to learn to have the faith of a child and a desire to build a real relationship.] As teachers (and preachers) do, he had two take-aways from the sermon. The first is that God loves you. All the time. Regardless of how awful we’ve been or how often we choose not to show our love to Him. Ahh, He’s a good and loving Father who love us. The second, He is with you always.

That first one, we hear a lot. I mean, that’s the first song that most of us learn in church. “Jesus love me, this I know…”

But, that second one, I think we lose sight of that truth. I mean, we acknowledge that He’s with us when we gather in our building to worship. He’s with us when we’re alone at home. Pastor Brynen added that He’s with you when you cuss out your co-worker and argue with family. Back in Crew, I would’ve added, “He’s with you when you talk back or disobey your parents.” During those moments of our selfish actions when our relationship with the One who created us has lost our focus, do we acknowledge that He’s there during those not-so-hot moments?

Here’s the truth of the matter. We are His treasures, but we let our life get so full of “stuff” (our ideas, our plans, and our desires) that we don’t have room for all He wants to pour into us. We are His treasured possession, but we need to be open to being emptied. I mean, the One who loves you more than anyone else does is surely going to fill you up with who He has created you to be. Serving Him. Being with Him. Loving Him.

This week, a group of 18 of our church family will be heading to New York to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the poor and homeless. Please pray for them. We’re all called to be His Hands and Feet to others, and even though we all could go on mission trips…we could also pray for avenues locally to be His Hands and Feet to others.

Perhaps, you can find your way to a local nursing home. Visit some friends you know, or…ask someone on staff for the name of a resident who doesn’t get visitors. Go be their reason to smile. It’s not hard. Most are filled with stories. Or would love to simply sing a hymn or two or have someone pray with them.

Perhaps, you can seek out your local Big Brothers & Big Sisters organization and commit to be the stability in the life of someone who may not have that in their life. I’ve had the privilege of being a Big to two girls over the past 20 years. I still interact with both girls on occasion.

Perhaps, you can look around your church or your neighborhood for a stay-at-home mom who could just benefit from conversation with an adult. Or extra hands to hold her baby or play with her son, so she can take a leisurely bath or squeeze in an afternoon nap?

There’s lots of ways to be His hands & feet. For some, that opportunity leads you to New York or Liberia (we have a team of four going there in July), but for others…you can be called to do likewise right next door.

Just be watching. Be open. and BE…in a relationship with the One who died for you & lives again. Be open to wherever He leads you. Because remember…He loves you…and He won’t send you solo. He’ll be with you every step of the way.

My friends, it’s not something we “have to” do, but it’s something we “get to” do. There’s a difference. It changes your whole attitude. it goes along with why I have my daily #gratitudelistofjodilea on my final Facebook post each night. It helps me look at my day and see what the good was. Not what I HAD to do, but what I GOT to do.

So…what will you GET to do tomorrow for the One who loves you, is always with you, and sees you as His treasured possession?

Greetings! I had planned to write this last weekend, but alas…my internet was out.

A couple weeks ago, storms seemed to have raged across the country. During those storms, my power went out. It was Wednesday around midnight…or maybe Thursday around 12:30 AM. Regardless, it kicked off my fan which caused this 54-year-old lady to awaken. Storms grew, and I pondered getting out of bed. However, I was tired. So, I rolled over and asked God to watch over my home and the homes in our county, and I thankfully fell back to sleep. Warm, but sleep nonetheless.

The next morning, my cell dinged telling me we were having a virtual day. However, my electric was out, so I threw on some clothes…and headed to school. I can’t teach virtually in a house without electricity. Thankfully, before class was dismissed, my electricity was restored. Or…was it?

It seemed like I had electric, but…it was on an uneven path. By the following Wednesday, it was evident that though I had power…I didn’t have full power. Duke came out twice the next day while I was at school. When I returned home, I flipped the switch, and the lights were on. However, when I turned on the kitchen light, the living room light went off. When I opened the fridge door, the light was on “dim”. Hmmm, I called Duke.

The customer service associate assured me that Duke had been to my address TWICE. They verified the meter was working. They replaced “something” that wasn’t working. She said it in a way that made me think she was about to dismiss me, so I said, “That may be true…but while we’ve been on the phone…the light next to me…just went off.” She made a call. She created a new ticket. “I’m guessing they won’t be here until tomorrow, right?” She replied that she had no way of knowing, so I hoped.

An hour later…a Duke truck slowly passed my house. I went outside and waited until the tech got out of the truck. I watched him check with my neighbors and NONE of them were having any issues. So, I explained how my washing machine was sitting full of water because there wasn’t enough power to finish the cycle. He assured me that he would work to figure out the issue. And….he did. Or did he?

My washing machine….kicked on. My fridge light was on full power. And…while the washing machine agitated, the technician said, “Turn on the vacuum. Let’s make sure you’re full power.” I did. It did. The house had power.

So, I turned on the TV and ….my modem was blinking. I tried the reset. I called the help desk. They said, “You just need a new modem”. On Saturday (2 days later), the new modem didn’t work when it arrived. So, they scheduled a home visit. Their tech couldn’t be here until Monday. Goodness… was I thankful for my hotspot. You don’t know how much you depend on something until it’s gone.

On Monday, the tech arrived about 3:35. An hour later, he had it up and running. Power was restored to my electricity and my online connection.

During this two week period, I have thought a lot about power. I thought about how as a teacher…by the 4th nine-weeks, it seems like I’m running on fumes. Some years more-so than others. This is one of those years. I love my kids. I love teaching. Alas, we’re under 30 days to go, and….I’m ready to rest. Sometimes, to be ready to go full-steam ahead, you have to rest and rejuvenate. I know the school year wasn’t established for that reason, but….He knew. He knew that the people He called to teach would need to rest and recharge in order to rise to the huge task of educating children. I’m thankful.

Then, as I have a lot in the past few years…and especially during these past four months, I pondered my spiritual life and my commitment to my church family and its ministry. To be honest, the past five or so years have been….draining. Yet, I had joy. In the midst of the tears of watching people I love exit our doors and find a new church family, I had peace. In the storm of discord and pot-stirring, I trusted. Through the joy…and the peace…and the trusting…I found myself becoming spiritually exhausted.

Yet, I knew the power source. As I reflect on the valley, I realized I could’ve “plugged in” more consistently and firmly. I often think in analogies and figuratively, and …. I have realized that I was a lot like my “loose outlet” that should be replaced. Because the plug wasn’t held securely, my spiritual power wasn’t as strong as it should’ve been. Duke discovered that my ground-wires weren’t connected (or something like that…), when they were fixed…so was my power. The Spectrum tech determined that a squirrel or a broken branch probably nicked the cable, and he replaced it allowing the internet to flow completely. I didn’t need a special technician to fix my spiritual drain. I just needed to plug into the outlet, to get a new battery, to…be hit by the Ultimate Energy Source.

How do I do it? I need to plug into my power source. I have multiple Bibles. I need to open them more consistently than on Sunday and Monday. Thankful for my prayers and praise songs, but….I must do my part to help THE Technician fix my connection. Honestly, how God has led us to join with another congregation family has been a huge boost in my power connection. I’m so thankful for answered prayers and for seeing how God is moving in our midst. Looking back, I realize that if it hadn’t been for those hard years and those exits and changes….that we wouldn’t have been seeking His direction as earnestly…to know what our next step would be and should be. A reminder that God uses all things for our good – even when we don’t see it at the time, and for His glory. I can’t tell you how often I’ve had talks with friends and colleagues about “what” God is doing in the midst of our two congregations.

It seemed like Holy Saturday was perfect timing for this post. Yesterday, Good Friday was a reminder about the power of the blood. You see, Christ was and is the Son of God. He submitted himself to the will of Father God by being obedient to death on the cross. He could’ve come down from it. I mean, He is God. But…He didn’t. He stayed there. He took the pain of the whip. He experienced the hammering of the spikes (more appropriate than thinking of them as nails like I hang pictures with). He did that…not only because of God’s plan but because of…LOVE. He loved me. He loves you.

And…tomorrow…we’ll celebrate that though He was dead and buried that His Power was greater. Even greater than death itself.

Honestly, last night, as we sang the final song sitting in a dark sanctuary, I had to get up. As I sang the words that Chris Tomlin recorded, it was as if electricity was flowing through me…and I had to stand in His presence to sing those words.

At the cross, at the cross -I surrender my life
I’m in awe of You, I’m in awe of You
Where Your love ran red
And my sin washed white
I owe all to You, I owe all to You

If I possess any power, it’s because of Him being my Power Source. Let Him be yours too!

I don’t know if a Sunday post is now my new routine, or if my mind just has lots of thoughts on Sundays. Regardless, here’s what’s marinating in my mind currently….

–I love to sing. I sang in worship back on January 19th. Then, the next two Sundays Patty had me scheduled to sing with the praise band, I either was battling my allergies or a cough. Last weekend, my cough was gone, and my voice was back. However, I didn’t trust spring. This past week, even though I was on spring break, I vetoed outside walking…to avoid my allergens.
Yesterday, I went to celebrate the upcoming birth of a baby girl. It was at the Old Red Barn, so the doors were open. Didn’t think a thing about it…until this morning when I spent a few minutes coughing. Ugh. I used the dreaded neti pot and said a prayer asking for the voice to make it through the singing. Thankfully, except for a cough between the first two songs, the voice hung in there. But…goodness was it warm.

–Since today was “Family Worship Sunday”, I had the privilege of sharing a children’s message as part of the worship service. I love teaching kids lessons from scripture. Yesterday, as I sat coloring my Message Box objects, I thought, “Wait! The bulletin didn’t switch the ‘children’s dismissal & blessing’ to ‘children’s message.'” Now, sadly…there was only one person to blame for this snafu. It was me. I do the bulletins. I made the mistake. I was highly irritated with myself. I confessed to Pastor Brynen, Tyler, & Kamra, and they extended grace to me. Alas, I wasn’t as nice to myself.

–As I sat visiting with Chuck prior to the service beginning, I looked up at the screen. The slide asking for volunteers to help with the children’s ministry popped up. My first thought was, “I really like how that looks!” My second thought, “Ugh! That IS should be IF.” Man, I’m really slipping.

–My low voice came in really handy during the second song this morning. Patty, who leads the praise band, has to work to hit the low notes of the verses of “Good God Almighty.” During practice on Wednesday, she asked me if I wanted to sing them since my voice can go there more easily. Low voice for the win…and today’s after effects of yesterday’s outside air made it even easier.

–After the songs concluded, the kids gathered around me. I’m always tempted to break out in my ‘Granny Myrtle’ voice…as it feels like I’m Mother Goose getting ready to teach the children. Alas, I withstood the temptation. The objects in my box guide the message and the kids interaction help it move along. To be honest, today’s was a challenge. I try to align it with the pastor’s message…or at least the pastor’s scripture focus. When he told me his focus for the day’s sermon, a couple of friends and I determined that was a bit above the thinking of a child. So, I took his “4 part” series and combined it into a 5 minute message. I thought it went pretty well. Pastor Brynen even game a high five afterwards for pulling it off as he told his wife he didn’t know how I was going to tackle today’s passage. That’s all well and good, but….as I listened to it afterwards, I sadly focused on, “Wait! I made a point of sharing that I had THREE scripture passages, but…I only shared TWO.” UGH.

Then, Pastor Brynen started preaching. He started with a question: How are you today? I’m just saying…90% of the time when I’m asked that question, my response is a simple, “I’m peachy”. I figure…life could be worse, so I’m peachy with what the day holds as I trust Who holds it.

Then, he moved on to today’s challenge. He reminded us that we need to love ourselves and find our identity through Christ and not the approval of men. He proclaimed that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. As I told the kids today, we were created in the image of God. For us to genuinely love others, we must love ourselves which requires us to fill our tank. How do we fill our tank? I mean, we can’t pull up to Shell or to Kroger’s. LOL.

We must fill our tank by resting in the assurance that God loves us. We are called to be children of God, and as His child we must find our identity in Him. Not in the opinion of men…Our identity must be secure in the fact that we are a child of the Living God!

What does filling our tank look like? We do so by training to be godly. By setting our hearts on the things above and pruning away those things that belong to our earthly nature. As a child of God, we should bear fruit. When we’re bearing something other than the fruit of the Spirit, we must prune it away.

So, what needs to be pruned from your life? If you’re like me, you tend to be more critical of yourself than you are of others. That typo in the bulletin. That misspelled word on the announcement slide. That skipped verse in my message. That cough between songs. Countless other things I could list….they’re the thoughts that want to bruise the love and acceptance I am called to have for myself.

At the conclusion of the sermon, Pastor Brynen asked us what “fruit pie” we needed to eat….humility, goodness, patience, joy, etc. As I sat around the lunch table, I realized I needed to eat some “Gentleness Pie” and “Patience Pie”. I need to treat myself more gently and less critically, and I need to accept my shortcomings and not expect perfection.

What about you? Where does your identiy come from? Do you love the person God created you to be? Look in the mirror. See the image bearer of the Living God. Let Him train you to be godly, so that you can truly love Him, others, and yourself.

So, were you curious which Bible verse I neglected to share? It was my wrap up verse. After reminding the children that the greatest commandments tell us to love God and love your neighbor as yourself, I was going to share John 13:35. You see, that love that we show to God and to others…and to ourselves shows the world that we belong to Him. It’s our birthmark. It’s our fruit. So, my dear friends, bear fruit through the love you show God, your neighbors, and yourselves. It’s a great choice. It’s….the greatest commandments.

In Monday’s Bible study, Pastor Brynen challenged us to spend time remembering our spiritual past that brought us to our present. So…I have. I started pondering while I was there….and the thoughts & memories have continued.

I don’t remember a time that my family didn’t go to church. However, my personal journey began in my 3rd grade year. I can picture the conversation I had with my dad when he came back to share “the ABCs to becoming a Christian” with me. [They are the same ABCs I still share when teaching the Bible lesson during VBS.] Now, when I was a child, I was quiet & shy. For those who know me now, that may be hard to imagine, but it was true. [It still can be depending on the setting.] Since I was a “Bashful Girl” (seriously, that was even my CB handle – because our family had one.), my mom told me that she would walk up the aisle with me if I wanted her to. I remember the invitation hymn began, and I grabbed Mom’s hand. We walked up to the pastor. He told us that it was the quickest he ever had someone walk the aisle.

My next memory was being baptized. Our family attended Calvary Baptist Church in Shelbyville, IN. I remember when I came out from getting dry clothes on a little boy named Daniel kept hugging me. He was mentally challenged, but he was my biggest fan. He was worried that the preacher had hurt me when he baptized me.

My next memory takes us to Madison, IN. Our family moved here before 4th grade started. I remember visiting a couple churches. One we visited, no one but the person at the door talked with us. At another, we arrived when the time on the sign said it started, and there wasn’t a single car in the lot. We later learned that they had changed their service times, but they hadn’t changed their sign yet. That “sign” brought us to Calvary Baptist. We visited. We returned and attended Sunday School. I remember my family joined on Easter Sunday. That was the spring of 1980. That was the first church where I was able to join with the rest of my family since I had become a Christian the year prior and been baptized.

My memory of being in the children’s ministry was the children’s choir. The wife of the music minister led it, and she had one of those voices that could easily sing opera. I remember singing a duet or trio in one of the musicals we did. My favorite song was, “It isn’t hot…in the furnace, man. It isn’t hot…..in the furnace, man. It isn’t hot in the furnace, man, this furnace is…Cool! Cool! Cool!” Ahhh, memories. My favorite musical, the one that had me singing my first ever solo, was Down by the Creek Bank. Gosh! I loved that thing. Even now, as I work with our children’s ministry, I think how much I would LOVE to have our kids do that program (I think it’s out of print). Only this time, instead of singing “I Am Adopted” (15:45 in the video) I would do the parts that Ginny did (18:15) as the leader. [The video is NOT our church…that was way before YouTube. LOL]

Then, I finally made it to the youth group. Calvary called its first part-time youth pastor, Tommy Campbell. He lived in Louisville at the seminary. He got married in January to Becky, his college sweetheart.

It was while I was in the youth group that I began to realize that when I accepted Christ it wasn’t “just” as my Savior, but He was also to be my Lord. Tommy & Becky (and the rest of the youth leaders) taught us about having a quiet time. I grew up going to church, but I don’t remember family devotions or reading the Bible at home. It wasn’t until I was a youth that I realized that for my commitment to be a true relationship…it needed to go both ways.

Was I perfect in reading the Bible? Obviously not, but it was during those years that I started to grow in my faith. I remember “youth-led Sundays” where we would do a skit. I remember sharing my testimony. It seemed that was my designated task whenever we had one. Hmm, I guess this post is similar…only I am able to edit & revise before sharing it.

It was during those three years that Tommy & Becky served at our church that I learned that I could actually “act” a little. We did a play called “The Stone Congregation”. The leads were acted by my friend Kirk & myself. However, he wasn’t able to go to youth camp that summer. Tommy was his “understudy” and took his place as we performed the play at the camp. My only memory of that experience was how “weird” it was for him to be playing Kirk’s part. Why? The two leads were on a date and running away from someone. Anyway, I still remember the take-away from the play, “Remember, if you don’t start doing the Lord’s work today, you will find yourself in a church of nothing but stone.” [They ran into a “museum” which was an old church….that had turned to stone….in a world where faith wasn’t a part of life anymore.]

During Tommy’s last summer at our church, he took us on a mission trip to Gary, IN. During the mornings, we taught VBS. During the afternoons, we worked on the church building doing various tasks. It was during this experience that I realized I had abilities to connect and teach kids. I had already had a high school math teacher suggest I become a math teacher. My French teacher encouraged me to consider becoming a French teacher. However, after that experience, I knew I was going to become an elementary teacher.

After high school, I journeyed to east Tennessee and furthered my education at Carson-Newman College. It was here that I not only learned to teach, but I was forced to find who I was away from my family and away from my church. I decided whether or not I would attend church on Sundays and if I would go to a Bible study. Not because it was expected, but….because that’s what I wanted to do to have a real relationship with the One who saved me and loves me.

Besides that, I also became involved in Baptist Student Union and attended BASIC (Brothers & Sisters In Christ) on Wednesdays. Thinking back, I realize it was while serving in a position on BSU council that I began my affection to write. I think I was “secretary,” and I began doing a monthly newsletter of the ministry opportunities and events. Most of my closest friends from college were either the ladies I lived with or the friends I met through BSU.

During my second semester of my senior year, I was awarded the Laura Brummit Award for Outstanding Student Teaching. I was stoked (even though CNC never did get my plaque to me – LOL). I was confident that I would walk into my own classroom when fall rolled around. I put applications in at various schools and towns in east Tennessee. I also put my application in back at home. You see, my plan was to stay in Tennessee. However, God’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. My road led me back to Madison, but when fall came….I was still without a classroom. So, I continued praying as I tried to trust Him through the wait.

I had no idea how long that wait would be. From the fall of 1992 to the fall of 1996, I served as a substitute teacher, worked at Wal-Mart, worked at a video store, served as a summer children’s minister at my church, and accepted the job of “part-time BSU director” through the Indiana Baptist Convention to the students on Hanover College’s campus [Note, they all weren’t at the same time…I’m not Super Woman. Hehehe].

When my pastor asked me that first summer to serve in the BSU position, I told him, ” I’ll say yes, but if a teaching job opens…I’m taking it.” I often wondered why that wait lasted four years. One evening at Bible study out at Hanover, I said, “When I get to heaven, I’ll ask Jesus why I needed to wait so long for my teaching job.” One girl looked at me and said, “That’s easy. If you had a teaching job, you never would’ve said yes to leading BSU and BASIC.” She was right. I continued to lead that ministry for several years while I was teaching, but when it grew to the point it needed more than just a few hours each week….I knew it was time to step aside.

It was at that point that my church decided it wanted to have a children’s minister all year. I went in that direction. I love teaching. I especially love teaching kids about Jesus and lessons from the Bible. At this point, the pastor switched children’s church to last the entire worship service. Children went from an hour of Sunday School to an hour of children’s worship. As the children’s minister, I was available to sub for any SS teacher the first hour, and then I would lead children’s church for 60-90 minutes. When summer rolled around and VBS loomed ahead, I remember working on decorations and plans…with tears in my eyes. They were not tears of joy. There was an uneasiness within my spirit letting me know that “staff ministry” wasn’t my calling. As others came to fill that position, I still helped with the children, but…it was a choice to serve rather than my “job.” My joy returned.

That was decades ago. Since then, I’ve experienced mountain tops and walked through some valleys. Through both, God walked with me. It may seem cheesy, but…looking back….that Footprints poem comes to my mind. During some of the hard seasons and even some of the bright seasons, I let Him and my relationship slip from my focus. Yet, He was there. Holding me…walking beside me….loving me.

My current conviction is a reoccuring one. Not to get so busy doing for Him that I neglect my time with Him. Praying. Reading & meditating. Loving. Trusting.

In the end, my journey isn’t perfect. But…it’s the path He ordained for me, and I will trust Him…and walk it. Hopefully, while I walk it, I will bring Him glory as I know He brings me good.

Thanks for reading. What about you? What do you remember about your faith journey

Right now. I’m struggling with staying awake. My brain was overthinking as I went to bed last night, so it took a while to fall asleep. Then, today at church, I had…NINETEEN kiddos back in Kids’ Crew. I was zonked. Afterwards, a small group of us journeyed out to Hanover College to enjoy their special holiday brunch for St. Patrick’s Day….so I ate too much (I mean, it was $17, so I told myself to eat for the day – LOL). So now, the only thing keeping me awake is….the fact that I’m doing laundry and listening to the sermon I missed while I was back with kids.

Pastor Brynen asked us, “How do you know Jesus loves you?”

I immediately start singing “Jesus Loves Me” in my head – just call me Jodi Jukebox!

But…do I stop and think and mediate on the truth that Jesus LOVES ME! Me. Ms. Jodi. Ms. Pflaumer. Me.

So many times…we…well… I get so wrapped up in serving Christ, doing for Christ, and being what my church & my friends expect me to be. So busy… that I can neglect taking the time to truly experience the love and presence of the One who died for me.

As I listened to the sermon I missed (I mean, teaching kids brings me a lot of joy!), I realized that I need to spend more time BEING with Christ than merely serving Him. Not that serving Christ is wrong, but…we can’t serve Him and neglect being with Him. Experiencing the love and peace that only comes from spending time with Him is foundational in our relationship with the One who died for us.

So, if you’re struggling with this like I am, then I challenge you to do what I’ve been challenged to do. BE with Jesus. Experience His love and presence. Jesus Loves YOU! Find a peace that surpasses understanding by being with Him…not just on Sunday mornings…but every moment of every single day.

Live in the freedom we have in Christ. Move from understanding that Jesus loves you to experiencing His love. Rest in His presence. Rest in His love.

On the way to work this morning, I was listening to the song list for this Sunday’s service. As I listened to the lyrics, I had one of those “chills” moments. You know what I mean? When you know…that you’re supposed to “get something” and “see God’s work”.

Let me step back. Last night, one of the challenges in the Ash Wednesday service was to pray about how you could shine His light more, share His Word more, and spread His love. I was reminded that…I have a blog and a love of words, so…use them. As I drove home, I told myself that I would write AT LEAST one post a week through Lent (and hopefully longer) to share my ponderings.

Side note. In Charles Dickens books, things all seem to connect by the end. So….if you read the entire post, you’ll understand the title I chose. And…let’s just say the Author of my journey is more trustworthy and loving towards me than Charles Dickens ever was. I mean, he just left me books to read.

Well, as the lyrics played and my smile appeared, I knew what this post needed to be. So, I told myself that as soon as my day was prepped, I would begin this week’s post.

To share the message I need to write, I need to go back a couple years. Back at the end of 2022, Jon Gordon shared a post about “picking a word” for the new year. Likewise, I heard the same thought on K-Love. So…I did. My word was going to be JOY. At the time, I was seeing the church family I have grown up in and love dearly continue to decline in membership. My heart hurt, but I was certain that I was to “find the Joy” in the sorrow. Throughout 2023, I looked for JOY in sad moments. When you look, you find it.

At the end of 2023, I pondered my new word for the new year. Our church membership continued to decline, and my heart hurt. As I read Bible passages about hard times, I saw again and again how God’s people trusted Him. So, my word for 2024 was TRUST. I was encouraged to TRUST Him in the midst of the decline. So, I did my best to trust as people I loved exited our church family. I didn’t get it. I was still serving and being challenged. In the midst of my sadness and confusion, I trusted.

In October of 2024, I sat with my pastor and learned that he was going to begin transitioning out of the pastorate of our church. I knew it was coming, but it caused worry. What would happen? I reminded myself that I was supposed to trust. In the midst of this tidal wave of uncertainty. I determined my new word would be HOPE. I trusted Him through some very hard times at my church, and that trust prompted me to hold on to hope this His plan was good and His power would uphold us.

It made sense to me since my hope comes from my faith. My hope is built on the foundation I find at Calvary – not the building, but the cross of Christ. Regardless of how long we would be without a pastor, I had hope. I knew the lives of my church family mattered to the One we worship and serve. That knowledge…that trust…told me to hope. He had a plan and eventually…we would see the good in the midst of the hard times. We would experience the joy that follows the storm. We would again see the mountaintop after walking through the valley so long.

My word for 2025….Hope. It was picked in October. But alas….God knows me. In December, the deacons started having ‘talks’ with a church that had split from its ‘parent church’ a year and a half (I think) prior. It was planned for us to share Christmas Eve service. There were multiple reasons behind that plan. One, we were without a pastor who would normally lead our Christmas Eve service. Two, they had a growing congregation and their previous Christmas Eve service became a “standing room only” due to the limited space they had. Finally, it gave us a chance to see how well our two bodies could combine into one. It went well.

That led to us sharing three services in January/February. Then, both churches voted to continue to worship together and contemplate the possibility of our churches merging into one.

Ah, the hope. There is so much joy on Sundays…and throughout the week as we join together for Bible study and other ministry events. Honestly, I’m ready to vote to merge into one body of believers now. Perhaps others are not, but….I still hope.

Oh, let me tell you the chills moment. The song was “Good, Good Father”. As I listened to the lyrics, these words…these words brought chills to my arms, a smile to my face, and happy tears to my eyes….

Oh, and I’ve seen many searching for answers far and wide
But I know we’re all searching for answers only You provide
‘Cause You know just what we need before we say a word

Yes! Through my years of JOY and TRUST, I was searching for answers only HE could provide.

He knew what we needed. We needed our hope to be found at Calvary. We needed to trust that He had an answer that only He could provide. No one ever thought of our Southern Baptist Church possibly merging with a nondenominational church. It just….happened. Why? Because…God. God knew. He knew the valley we’d been walking through. He knew we needed our joy restored. He knew our hope was found in His Cross at Calvary, and that through Him…our Hope could be found.

Now…if you know me, you know I love PUNS. Are you ready for the name of the church we’ve been worshiping with. It is Hope Valley. Yep. Our Hope is found at Calvary. We’ve walked through the valley and now….we are reminded of HOPE….through Hope.

I’ll keep you posted on the journey.

But….what do you HOPE in? Where is your hope found?

If it’s not found in Calvary and the cross of Christ….you’re missing true joy, genuine hope, and a peace that surpasses understanding.