THE PASTOR'S CORNER FOR OCTOBER, 2021

Reflections from Pastor Kim

     This month we will spend some time in worship talking about healing and the impact that has on a positive move forward in relationship with God, ourselves, and others.  If you don’t know this about me yet, you soon will.  I’m not a big fan of reinventing the wheel!  So when I read something that is better left in its original form than synopsized, I tend to let that happen whenever possible.  I read the following excerpt from an article to be published in the Early UMC October newsletter. 
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     We all have wounds.  We all have scars.  Physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual.  So many injuries which are left to fester.  Most often, because we are too busy taking care of others, or rushing to the next thing, to be able to take care of the pain caused by scar tissue which grows layer by layer.  Even if we are very private people, there are ways to facilitate healing of all kinds in our lives.  Never be afraid or embarrassed to seek out healing balms of life.  They are life giving, and life affirming. 

     Below find a portion of the article by Cary Brown, Spiritual Director, and Administrative Assistant for Early UMC, Early, Iowa.

     I love trees and their beauty in every season!  The colors of fall is a no-brainer.  That one is easy.  God’s paintbox in the colors of the leaves is a wonder!   Then those leaves let go and fall and leave the trees bare.   The structures of the trees fascinate me.   Some are straight and tall and strong and lift their arms high.  But then there are the trees who have been injured, broken, or bent.   They are the ones with holes in them or huge knotholes or unexpected bends and twists.  They are the interesting ones!  They have a beauty all of their own if we just stop and look and see the wonder.

     When I see trees like that, I wonder what they have been through to end up like that….  Their ‘wounds’ are hidden by the leaves during most of the year but during winter, those ‘wounds’ end up showing their beauty.  Just like us.   Most of the time our ‘wounds’ and imperfections are hidden because we are ashamed of them.  What we don’t get is that those ‘wounds’ and imperfections have a beauty all of their own.
     
     How many people around us need to see and hear about our ‘wounds’ and imperfections in order to know they can make it through their own?  Whether your story includes surviving abuse of any kind, or surviving cancer, or the death of a loved one, or a fire, or any other of a multitude of things, people need to hear from you that this can be survived!  In fact, can even be a grace.

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​     When we hide our ‘wounds’, we hide the wonder of who we are.  We hide the grace we have to offer others to help them through their ‘wounds’.   Jesus did not hide his wounds – he showed them to his friends and taught them the graces those wounds hold.  
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     “The changing of leaves reminds us that new wonders are just around the corner.”  When we are willing to let the leaves of our lives change and eventually fall, we let others see the wonders that are just around the corner.   Yes, it hurts.  Yes, it is uncomfortable.  Jesus knows all about hurting and being uncomfortable – but, more than anything, he knows the wonder!!

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     This fall, look for the wonders – around you and inside you.  Look for the wonders you can share with others as Jesus did. 

Be blessed, be a blessing, and take someone with you on the journey!
Pastor Kim