gatherings and grace

January 02, 2019

gatherings and grace

Silly hats lined with silver, noise makers and social media posts scream the news "HAPPY NEW YEAR!". Isn't everyday is the opportunity for a "HAPPY NEW"?

Let us lean into joy even amidst trials and not forget this often fleeting feeling of hope that the new year brings. Let your hope dig deep and take root...

Transitions can be tough, exciting, adventurous and tumultuous. 2018 felt like a constant transition... a process of changing from one state or condition to another. Over and over again, amidst change, I see the beauty in the act of gathering. To gather is to bring together, collect and make whole. It gives live meaning and purpose. Moments of connection, community and creativity can be found in homes, cafés, street corners, in swimming pools and basement church services. 2019 is fresh in our lives, but most of the year may seem blurry or unknown. This year I pray "presence" may become a daily practice. To be present in the lives of those around me, to not be anxious about the future, to seek the presence of the living God.

Within the "in-between" moments, ups and down and "figuring-it-out" season of life I have found a few truths to hold strong throughout the transition of 2018:

There is always hope

"suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame"

Romans 5:4

Joy comes in the morning

" Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning."

Psalm 30: 5

The crumbs are always worth it

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Romans 12:20

Everyone has a story worth telling

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25:40

Vision gives purpose to pain

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything"

James 1

moments from a Curran family Christmas gathering