As the spring season progresses, as I sit in the shadow of stunning green mountains with just a touch of winter snow left at the peaks, as I look out over a valley just waking up to a new day, as I look forward to a day of meaningful work (and a little play too), I find myself wishing.
I wish the Lakers are able to reconfigure their team and win another championship next year (I wish for the Jazz to make it to the western conference finals. ;-)
I wish Timber would stop barking at the neighbor’s dog who seems to be relishing her walk in front of our/his window.
I wish for time and weather to hop on the bike and get a good ride in today (I think this wish will come true :-) .
I wish safe and blessed travels for all who are heading this way or that (including my daughter Lydia coming home to the US after a semester in Oaxaca, Mexico. Yea! says mom and dad).
I wish for blessed arrivals for summer citizens. May your travels be filled with refreshing experiences, meaningful work, or happy reunions.
I wish for wisdom for those who have questions that are profound.
I wish for a summer of wonderful worship and meaningful ministry for First Pres (Faith doesn’t take summers off, it makes summers better)
I wish for a warm welcome for the new associate pastor the Lord has already chosen (even if we and she/he don’t know who it is quite yet!)
For those who are looking for work, those who don’t know where this month’s rent, or next month’s mortgage payment, or tonight’s dinner is going to come from, I wish they discover a path to just what they need.
I wish for healing and strength to come to those who are hurting. I know that many are struggling with brokenness in mind, body, and spirit. Many are wrestling with relationships or wallowing in loneliness (sometimes both). Some are seeking to overcome past hurts, or to deal with the demon of an addiction. I wish for you to take steps toward wholeness.
I wish for peace inside ourselves, in our homes, in our communities, in our government, in our churches, and around the world. Boy do I wish for peace.
“I wish” is, perhaps, not the right phrase. “I pray” is a lot more like it. Praying is a lot more (and a lot mo ‘betta, as they say in HI) than wishing. Wishing is more for pipe dreams. Praying is more for children of God who hope and work for wholeness to come. Praying is aligning ourselves with that divine love that desires to move the whole creation toward Sabbath peace. Praying makes things happen. Maybe it’s not as quick, or not in the way that we’d choose. Maybe those stubborn prayers seem to remain forever on our lists, especially the larger and/or deeper ones. But I believe prayer eventually brings hope, and hope (combined with love) makes things brighter and moves things forward. I not only wish, I pray … for you.
Peace, Paul
