This past Saturday and Sunday was a time of unexpected blessings and miracles, signs of how God is active and alive and present in our world and in our lives when we are open and receptive to the possibilities. We celebrated a 25th anniversary renewing of vows ceremony, several children receiving their first communion and a baptism. We hear, read about, and experience joy and healing. Fragile relationships are restored. Hope is experienced in profound ways. In 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15 we read and heard about Naaman, a commander and mighty warrior, suffers from leprosy, and even though he first denies the cure, Naaman accepts the advice of his servant, and by God’s action his skin and its disease is washed clean. Also afflicted with leprosy, ten lepers implore God’s mercy and are made clean. (Luke 17:11-19) But the outsider—the foreigner—is the only one who returns to give thanks.
In his message to us on Sunday Pastor Andrew reiterated the joys of the weekend. How they were in and of themselves a blessing and miracle. He also spoke of the importance of giving God our thanks and praise at all times and in all places. Do you? Not because of what we do but because of what God has done.
Today many of us encounter other hardships of all sorts, and our reading in 2 Timothy 2:8-15 makes the stark point that we all suffer. But our God joins us in our sufferings and in our hardships, making us whole through our spiritual cleansing of baptism and filled with God’s Spirit. It is indeed a blessing and miracle when we can experience what God offers us in Jesus. Will you accept His offer? Have a blessed week.
Faith Lutheran Church 