Pastor Craig - February 2020

 For two weeks this has been a question Suzanne and I have been asking ourselves over and over again. Let me say it is not that we are lacking in “joy” in our lives. It is a way to access what is important in our stuff. Like you, we have accumulation of things that we just don’t use anymore. Like clothes that don’t fit or we will never wear again. Things that have been stuck in the back of a closet to be used “someday”. Who I have to thank for this is Marie Kondo. She is a self-proclaimed “tiding expert”. In other words, Suzanne read her book and saw some of her interviews and her podcasts and has really gotten excited about the process. I have to admit, it is a fun exercise for me as well.

 I have to say: THIS IS NOT A COMMERCIAL FOR THE UPCOMING RUMMAGE SALE SETTING UP MARCH 9-14TH.

 The main idea is to surround yourselves with items and things that make you feel good. Walking into your house and feeling at home and at peace. She is quick to say, you don’t have to get rid of everything. Memories are important. In the case of clothes, you can let them go and let them find another home through donating them.

 We are soon to be entering into the season of Lent. For some it is just dates on a calendar, a season to get through and get on with one’s life. For some it has been reduced to the season to “give up something.” Last year, Suzanne and others took this giving up seriously. They pledged to give away one item a day. So at the end of the season, they had donated at least 40 items.

 This does fit into the Season of Lent. The church has used the Season of Lent as a time of teaching and in re-evaluating priorities in your life. It has always been a time of reflecting, remembering and preparing your heart and your life to embrace the sacrifice that our Lord and Savior did for us on the cross and rejoicing in Jesus’ conquering death on Easter. On the flip side, it has also been used as a time to get rid of the obstacles that stand in the way of that relationship. Maybe your stuff is one of those obstacles.

 This year, I pray that you are able to rekindle, renew, and refresh your relationship with a God that loves you so much that he sent his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord so that everyone, including you, who believe in him will not parish but will have your life renewed.

   May you find your “joy”.

    Pastor Craig