Conference Ministers Corner 3-10-26

My very good friend came to visit from Nashville back in January. When it was 20 degrees and colder. 'Cause…Maine. She brought a jacket with her. 'Cause…Nashville. I gave her one of my coats, of course. I have plenty – one for every severe change in temperature. Maybe you do, too. Giving her a coat wasn’t an issue...I didn’t give it a second thought. In the bible there are a few scriptures (Luke 6:27-31 and Matthew 5:38-42) about giving someone your coat and/or shirt if they need it or ask for it. Which is easy to do when you have plenty. It’s easy to give out of abundance as we all know. It’s a little harder when we don’t have as much. What if I had had only one coat? Would I have given it to my friend? Of course. Would I have given it to a stranger. Ummm, well… I’d like to think so but I have often refused to give or share or lend if it’s someone I don’t know. Which makes me feel like I feel when I read above mentioned scriptures. All this is to say perhaps during the rest of Lent, when we often work on ourselves and take something on or give something up, I can spend some time learning to give out of scarcity as well out of abundance…to family and friends, to important causes and issues surrounding us, even my church. And if you’re already doing this, thanks for being an example to the rest of us! We all need to be reminded from time to time that following Jesus means walking the extra mile, going above and beyond, and giving out of our abundance as well as our scarcity. During Lent, and every season after that. Even and maybe especially in January.

See you in Church,

Linda