Life's About Little Ones and Small Stuff
Yesterday's sermon and the reading from Matthew 10:40-42 nudge me to look closer at what matters to Jesus, and to me. Small decisions, little children and the least of these, matter to Jesus And that's part of why I love sitting in the family section of church, where we welcome wigglers.
Like yesterday, Theo squealed for JOY when his Mama brought him from the nursery, into the service. It was when he saw his daddy that he made a joyful noise. A LOUD squeal of JOY. And I thought how God, our Father, must love it when we come to him, arms outstretched, full of joy, just to be with Him.
Then, there was the sermon by our interim priest,The Rev. George Stevens. He stands among us, not behind the pulpit to preach. It's one way to connect. His introduction informed us that Christ Church is the #1 name for Episcopal Churches. Most others are named for saints, like Luke, Paul, Mark, etc.
Well, as some of you know, I grew up Baptist. And we tend to name churches by numbers, roads and towns. We weren't so into saints. Like, Jud and I were married at First Baptist Church in Greensboro, North Carolina. My Daddy was the pastor of Grove Street Baptist Church in DeKalb, Illinois and Sandy Plains Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia.
For sure, one could do worse than naming a church after a number, street or town. Like Hell Hole Swamp Baptist Church in South Carolina, and Little Hope Baptist Church in Texas. Well, Baptists aren't the only ones with names that sometimes need explainin'! How'd you like to attend Intercourse Methodist Church in Pennsylvania?
Oops, back to my topic about small things. Then again, small words make a BIG difference. And small acts matter, like offering a cup of water to someone who is thirsty. Or feeding hungry folks. Father George reminded us, Jesus didn't even miss a small man, like Zacchaeus, up a tree in more ways than one. I love that about Jesus. And I still love singing kids' Sunday School Songs, like Jesus Loves Me. I hope I'm never too big to be amazed by that small truth. After all, Jesus and I go way back, so I hope He never shares all He knows.
Well, in yesterday's sermon, Father George reminded us about tables for little ones. You need to be better behaved to sit with the big folks. Not so, with Jesus. He invited beggars and fishermen to sit with him. And Jesus knew the worth of small change, like the widow's mite, and the power tucked into faith, as small as a mustard seed. We're talking tiny.
So, take heart. Nothing's too small for Jesus. We ignore little ones, small matters and the least of these at our own peril, and the rest of the world's. Remember, sometimes Jesus shows up in something or someone too small to matter. But it does. And they do.
You, too.
6 Comments
Jan, I enjoy picturing you at church among the wigglers! I bet you wiggle a bit right with them. And I love having Christ's very name on a church. I never thought about how Baptist churches were named, but you are so right. The two we pastored were known by a number (First Baptist) or location (Osterville Baptist.) Nothing wrong with that, but I'm partial to Christ.
We do have our ways of setting ourselves apart from others, to separate and make our mark in an area. If only our reputation and association was limited to names of streets, numbers or towns, instead of through what or who we hate, or draw lines in the sand over. And yes, I know there are theological and denominational distinctions, but sometimes we hide behind those. It's easier than loving one another as Christ loved and loves The Church...and the whole ragtag lot of us. Thanks for doing your part, my Norwegian sister Maggie, by writing and speaking words that help bring us together in these divisive times.
Love the church names. We drove past Big Bottom Baptist Church near Charleston, WV one year and our kids couldn't stop laughing for a long time! Mark had to explain that a "bottom" just means a low area by the river. And then there was Mud River Baptist Church, and Mark's dad thought it would be good for Mark to submit his name when they were looking for a pastor. Yup, Baptist church names could keep us entertained for awhile!
So good to hear from you, dear Priscilla. I think of you and Mark often, pray for you sometimes, and am always grateful for the good work that you have done and continue to do at Denver Seminary. Good work lasts long after paid roles are long gone.
So interesting to find the church you were married in on Google Maps - not far from Duke where my sister attended grad school, and a bit further from my best friend at Gordon who lives in Pinehurst now! How He weaves a great web. I am reminded of the importance of little ones and things as we raise Alice. Love, Alyssa & Andrew
Yes, dear Alyssa and Arnold, plus wee Alice. God does weave us together in so many ways. But most of the time we see it only by looking back. That's why we are called to live by faith. Faith looks forward and trusts in God's goodness. Hope you are all thriving in Utah. So sad to read about fires in various part of our beautiful country. Praying for your protection.