United in Christ, Together in Ministry!

Messiness in Our Relationships ~ David Patterson

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” ~Isaiah 52:7

The pandemic has strained relationships, and made get-togethers impossible as we all try to flatten the curve. I am thankful that technology has allowed us to overcome distance and separation. Because of Covid, I have learned how to Zoom, and feel good when I have attended group/family/church virtual meetings. I’ll photo bomb my wife when she is face-timing with the grandchildren on the phone, and it’s almost like being there with them (and to be honest it’s a lot less messy and tiring than when they are actually with us). We have gone on the computer to watch virtual Christmas Pageants, graduations, funeral services and other family events. We have attended several outside family events, and perhaps because of the pandemic, we appreciate these more than ever. Phone calls, emails and texts with photos have helped us keep in touch. We looked forward more than ever to getting Christmas letters through snail mail. If this pandemic hit several years earlier, I don’t think we would have had the technology and know-how to bridge the barriers that physically separate us from family, church and loved ones. Perhaps God had something to do with this timing. When I think of our Father in heaven, I am in awe that he overcame the chasm of sin that separated and isolated us from Him. He didn’t do it virtually, but came physically to dwell among us. That meant he would become infected with our sin, shame, guilt and punishment, which would lead to his death, a death that he gladly accepted so that we could become members of his family, his precious children. You don’t need Zoom, a phone, or a computer to speak with God. He’s there in your heart and all around you, and God has given each of us the gift of prayer. Keep your family, church, friends, the less fortunate and your loved ones in your prayers.

“God with Us”, who has taught us to pray, thank you for communicating in various ways that we are saved by grace through faith. Amen.

 

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