Pastor’s November Message

As I sit in my office, I can hear the passing of time, quite literally, the tick, tick, tock of the clock. If I look outside my window, the falling   of the leaves does the same thing. Leaves of red, gold, and orange float to the ground – gently,   violently – depending on the nature of the wind.

My own nature needs the changing of the seasons, the passing of time. I would get bored out of my skull if everything stayed the same all of the time. I love spring with the emerging of new life.  I love summer with the buzzing of the bees and the croaking of frogs and toads. Long days and basking in the sunlight.

I look forward to fall when we tuck everything away and hear the crunch of leaves beneath our feet. Fall rituals of wearing bulky sweaters and lighting candles in the ever-increasing darkness.   All of nature, at least here in the Northwoods, starts to settle in for the deep, long sleep.

And, yes, I do love winter. Pots of bubbling soup and good bread. Hunkering down under fluffy blankets and the smell of potpourri filling the air. Being able to stay home because the roads are too bad to venture out. Reading a fun book while sipping a cup of my favorite tea.

All of these things give us space within ourselves. A space that yearns to connect with our Creator.

Without solitude it is virtually impossible to live a spiritual life. Solitude begins with a time and place for God, and him alone. If we really believe not only that God exists but also that he is actively present in our lives—healing, teaching, and guiding—we need to set aside a time and space to give him our undivided attention. Jesus says, “Go to your      private room and, when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in that secret place” (Matthew 6:6). – From Making All Things New by Henri J. M. Nouwen

So revel in the changing of the seasons. Settle into the ‘rest’ of winter and seek out God in that holy and sacred space. You will find that ‘spring’ will emerge within your heart and soul.

Pastor Lisa