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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
Stitching God Into Your Life
March 15, 2007
I was a senior in High School the last time I seriously tried to sew
anything. I took a class in Home Economics in order to prepare me for
what I thought was going to be a long and happy life as a bachelor. We
learned how to cook a meal, bake a pie from scratch and how to sew a
button on our shirts. That’s when I got my first and only chance to ever
use a sewing machine.
I mention this because I saw something that fascinated me on television
this morning. There was this woman on the HGTV network who made a
really cool pocketbook using an old pair of corduroys right. She took her
audience through the process step by step and showed us how it was
done. I have to admit that I was mesmerized by what she was doing. It
looked so easy that I felt anyone could do it. The truth is that she seemed
to be having so much fun that I actually sat there thinking (and this is a
scary thought!) that I might actually try to make one to give to one of my
daughters.
Its funny how someone with a real gift or talent can make something they
do look real easy. I like to watch Norm Abrams and the crew of This Old
House do a project. They take a home that needs some “TLC” and turn it
into a thing of beauty with little or no effort at all.
The truth is that we could do some of the things we see these folks do.
But let’s be honest, most of the time we won’t end up with the same kind
of finished product that they do the first time we try it. In order to be good
at anything we need to practice at it. Very few of us could be declared
experts the first time we try something new. It takes time, training and
lots of trial and error to achieve that kind of proficiency.
It struck me that the same thing is true for us as we try to live out our
faith. Many of us know people who seem to have it all together. They are
such gracious people. You can see the hand of God in their lives. They
seem to stand tall during times of crisis and always seem to have that inner
peace flowing in and through them. They make living life look easy.
The good news is that we can have that same peace but it takes practice.
We need to start by taking baby steps and begin walking with God every
day. It means opening our Bibles and reading his Word. It means joining
others in worship. It means surrounding ourselves with good friends who
you can share your struggles with. It means slowing down the frantic
pace of life we lead and making room for those serendipitous moments
with God.
As you begin to invite God into your every day life, it won’t be long before
you will feel his presence and his power. May God’s love and grace
become so much a part of your life, that you will be as tightly woven
together as that pocketbook the television host made. It too was made with
remnants, but in the Master’s hands it became a thing of beauty.
God Bless. See you in church! Cal.
March 15, 2007
I was a senior in High School the last time I seriously tried to sew
anything. I took a class in Home Economics in order to prepare me for
what I thought was going to be a long and happy life as a bachelor. We
learned how to cook a meal, bake a pie from scratch and how to sew a
button on our shirts. That’s when I got my first and only chance to ever
use a sewing machine.
I mention this because I saw something that fascinated me on television
this morning. There was this woman on the HGTV network who made a
really cool pocketbook using an old pair of corduroys right. She took her
audience through the process step by step and showed us how it was
done. I have to admit that I was mesmerized by what she was doing. It
looked so easy that I felt anyone could do it. The truth is that she seemed
to be having so much fun that I actually sat there thinking (and this is a
scary thought!) that I might actually try to make one to give to one of my
daughters.
Its funny how someone with a real gift or talent can make something they
do look real easy. I like to watch Norm Abrams and the crew of This Old
House do a project. They take a home that needs some “TLC” and turn it
into a thing of beauty with little or no effort at all.
The truth is that we could do some of the things we see these folks do.
But let’s be honest, most of the time we won’t end up with the same kind
of finished product that they do the first time we try it. In order to be good
at anything we need to practice at it. Very few of us could be declared
experts the first time we try something new. It takes time, training and
lots of trial and error to achieve that kind of proficiency.
It struck me that the same thing is true for us as we try to live out our
faith. Many of us know people who seem to have it all together. They are
such gracious people. You can see the hand of God in their lives. They
seem to stand tall during times of crisis and always seem to have that inner
peace flowing in and through them. They make living life look easy.
The good news is that we can have that same peace but it takes practice.
We need to start by taking baby steps and begin walking with God every
day. It means opening our Bibles and reading his Word. It means joining
others in worship. It means surrounding ourselves with good friends who
you can share your struggles with. It means slowing down the frantic
pace of life we lead and making room for those serendipitous moments
with God.
As you begin to invite God into your every day life, it won’t be long before
you will feel his presence and his power. May God’s love and grace
become so much a part of your life, that you will be as tightly woven
together as that pocketbook the television host made. It too was made with
remnants, but in the Master’s hands it became a thing of beauty.
God Bless. See you in church! Cal.
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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