THOUGHTS FROM PASTOR LIZ DAVIS
September 2023
“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!” -Psalm 118:24
When I turned over the calendar into August, my heart sank. Summer is almost over! I remember all my hopes for after work trips to the beach that never materialized because of such mundane things as meal prep, dishes, and housecleaning. Where did all my time go?
We all know life is short and precious, maybe all the more so after the pandemic. Yet we still hesitate to do the things we want to do, say the things we need to say, and value what we truly value. We can get diluted by fear and the pressure to do other things.
Psalm 118 reminds us that this day is a gift of God. It’s what we have, where we are, and when we can act. We rejoice in the day by living it fully, celebrating that we have been created and given life in this moment.
I was reminded by a parishioner that putting off the important things can mean we never do them. Things like saying, “I love you,” “thank you,” “I forgive you,” “I’m sorry,” or telling someone what they mean to you shouldn’t wait for the perfect moment. It may never come. The moment you take the risk to be open, honest, and loving with another becomes its perfect moment.
Create time for the important things. That might mean skipping something else, or saying no to what someone else wants you to do. Reduce the stress of those things you want to do but can’t get the energy to do by making them smaller. Instead of an elaborate beach day, maybe I can fit in 15 minutes of tossing rocks at the shore. Rather than a fancy night out, play cards or go for a neighborhood stroll. That “thank you” letter doesn’t have to be perfect, it just needs to be sent. Our lives are enhanced not only by the big events, but even more by the little, intentional, consistent choices to do those things that matter and show the people in our lives that they matter to us.
This day is your precious gift from God. Rejoice in it by being present and living deeply.
God is with you!
Pastor Liz Davis
When I turned over the calendar into August, my heart sank. Summer is almost over! I remember all my hopes for after work trips to the beach that never materialized because of such mundane things as meal prep, dishes, and housecleaning. Where did all my time go?
We all know life is short and precious, maybe all the more so after the pandemic. Yet we still hesitate to do the things we want to do, say the things we need to say, and value what we truly value. We can get diluted by fear and the pressure to do other things.
Psalm 118 reminds us that this day is a gift of God. It’s what we have, where we are, and when we can act. We rejoice in the day by living it fully, celebrating that we have been created and given life in this moment.
I was reminded by a parishioner that putting off the important things can mean we never do them. Things like saying, “I love you,” “thank you,” “I forgive you,” “I’m sorry,” or telling someone what they mean to you shouldn’t wait for the perfect moment. It may never come. The moment you take the risk to be open, honest, and loving with another becomes its perfect moment.
Create time for the important things. That might mean skipping something else, or saying no to what someone else wants you to do. Reduce the stress of those things you want to do but can’t get the energy to do by making them smaller. Instead of an elaborate beach day, maybe I can fit in 15 minutes of tossing rocks at the shore. Rather than a fancy night out, play cards or go for a neighborhood stroll. That “thank you” letter doesn’t have to be perfect, it just needs to be sent. Our lives are enhanced not only by the big events, but even more by the little, intentional, consistent choices to do those things that matter and show the people in our lives that they matter to us.
This day is your precious gift from God. Rejoice in it by being present and living deeply.
God is with you!
Pastor Liz Davis
