This week two people that I knew from my middle school years passed away: a classmate and a classmate’s mother.  My classmate reportedly did not even know that she was sick until it was too late.  Within months she succumbed to her disease and died.  The mother of my classmate fell but, in the hospital, she developed an infection and within days, she passed on.  I always remember my classmate as a hardworking student; she was friendly and helpful.  The mother of my classmate was also friendly and welcoming; even though we hung out a lot at her home, she never complained. She smiled a lot.

In his book, A Time For Being Human, Eugene Kennedy writes, “We need to remember that our most important gifts to each other are on a small scale . . . . all those small occasions, small moments, and even small talk in which we can find and celebrate life together.”

Those who have lost their loved ones will tell us that is true. What they remember about their loved ones are not big moments or grand celebrations but rather small moments and celebrations.  So, give each other these small gifts; they are the most important gifts we can give.  Do not try to make a big impact; leave that to God.

A church is a place for small moments. Every week we come, we do the same thing: we worship, we fellowship. Some of us stay longer for choir rehearsal.  No big moments, the same routine week in and week out, but through these small moments we get to know God and each other better.  And through these small moments, if we are open to looking within, we will also get to know ourselves better. 

In the same book, Eugene Kennedy reminds us that we all have a story to tell.  The question is, then, “What story am I telling?”  Is it science fiction tales, or stories we wish were true?  The precious gifts we can give to others is the real stories of our lives with God.

Pastor Paul