The Wonder of God

On autumn afternoons, I enjoy turning into our neighborhood  and driving past the tot lot where the vibrant colors of the season glow in the late afternoon sun. The tot lot is the community plot in our subdivision where the children play and seasonal picnics are held.  It borders the Lake Braddock football stadium and is often walked through by neighbors on their way to Friday night games.  But on late October afternoons, it is transformed into a glowing palette of yellow, orange, red, and gold as the colors of the season come to life with the setting sun.  This narrow corridor of trees holds little attraction for me most days.  It probably has more to do with the rush and hurry of my own distraction than anything else, but the wonder of this natural phenomenon draws me out of my routine to pause and appreciate it's wonder.  Simple things are indeed powerful!

 

What get's your attention these days?  If you said threats of war, presidential politics, uncertain economic times, I understand, for those and other issues like them are hard to ignore.  I have learned, however, that wonder and appreciation are treasures of the human experience that must not be overlooked in the midst of the noise and threats of daily life.  I am also learning that one must intentionally seek wonder, otherwise the heaviness of the world can become overwhelming. 

 

Amidst the worry and fear of his day, Jesus encouraged his followers with these words from the Sermon on the Mount. "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry..."  Look around you and witness the wonder of God. Such beauty is good for the soul.

 

Trunk or Treat will be held at Westwood tomorrow from 4-5 p.m.  It will be a fun time of costumes and candy, providing another opportunity to welcome our community.  I look forward to seeing you for worship this Sunday as I begin a special series of messages taken from Deuteronomy 6 focusing on the great commandment.  The preschool choir will be singing and that is always a blessing, so invite a friend and join us as we gather to worship the living God.

 

Jim Abernathy 

God at Work

Cindy and I are on the road again. Like several parents in our church this fall, we are heading to parent's weekend to see how our student is doing.  Clayton is in his senior year at the University of Kentucky, so this is the last time we will participate in this special weekend. The last time we participated in this event was his freshman year, and we were talking along the road today about how quickly these years have gone.  Wednesday evening, I sat with a few young parents at CFN and heard their stories of laughter and wonder as their young children are growing up before their eyes. I encouraged them, as others have done for me over the years, to enjoy these moments for they pass so quickly. 

 

Somewhere along the line this weekend, I'm sure I will look at Clayton as he interacts with his friends or as I am sitting across the dinner table from him, and will suddenly be lost in some past experience that will be remembered as if it happened just yesterday. These glimpses of days gone by serve not only to remind me of how Clayton has changed over the years, but also how I have changed.  And yes, God has been at work through it all.  Amidst all the changes, that has made all the difference.

 

Remember the Westwood women's retreat this weekend and the Reverend Beth Willetts as she leads the retreat.  Keep all these folks in your prayers. Also, check on friends and neighbors this weekend in the midst of the storms.  Being a good neighbor brings blessing to you both.

 

Jim Abernathy