Letting go is difficult. Especially letting go of a positive and loving relationship seemingly years too soon because God has called that loved one home. So as I tuck that wonderful relationship into my heart forever I am also trying to refocus on new beginnings in my life. I am making room for the expected and unexpected good in my life. I look forward to adopting new behaviors—patterns of living, giving, and receiving. I realize that to be free, I do not need to just let go of any negative relationships and surroundings but I also need to release any tendency to respond to new surroundings and relationships in old negative ways.

So beginning today, I am more about faith in God. If I am confronted with a situation that in the past brought about feelings of anxiety, I take a moment to center my thoughts on God. I realize and affirm that my faith is stronger than any perceived fear.

We may find comfort in the gentle touch of a loved one. This was so true of the comfort Luke and I were able to be to and for each other on Sunday. So many in our world think only of what's good for them and the benefit to them. I will continue to work to remember my hope to offer love, support and understanding, to be there with the ones I care about when they need me. To continue to build and nurture those loving, accepting and encouraging relationships in my life. The friendship and companionship of those around us can gladden our hearts and the antics of our furry friends (i.e.Lexy) can make us smile. A bright, sunny day or the majesty of a thunderstorm can inspire with wonder and awe.

We truly do live in a world that God has created. As we let an awareness of God fill our hearts, love overflows into our lives. We can bring God’s love and blessings with us wherever we go.

I will try to remember that I am much more than my physical self— how much I weigh or what features I inherited. I focus on my own unique qualities and those of others. As I continue this sacred focus, I see God’s creativity being expressed in myself and others. We are intelligent, capable beings, fulfilling a divine plan. This was evident in the joy of our moving into our newly redesigned sanctuary yesterday morning which now gives us more room to grow, minister and share space with those in the community.


“No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak, for the patch pulls away from the cloak, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins; otherwise, the skins burst, and the wine is spilled.”—Matthew 9:16-17