CAPA Corner: Showing God’s Love

    Summertime has for years been the traditional time for churches to have Vacation Bible School.  This has been “the week” for my church.  It has also become a tradition for me to have two of my granddaughters with me for the week to come to VBS at “Nana’s church”.  (This is the second year now.)  This has meant several things: first, I am exhausted because I have had a five year old and an eight year old at my house for a week; secondly, there is not too much quiet time around the church during the mornings; and thirdly, it has also meant that there are a lot of youth around assisting with classes, recreation, music and sound.

    The result of having grandchildren in my home and youth around the church is that I have gotten a LOT more hugs than usual and a LOT more I love you’s.  For me, those are life-giving actions.  They are concrete and visible expressions of God’s love and grace.  They bring me a sense of well-being, happiness and joy.  My soul is soothed and fed, by just a small gesture and a gracious word.  They speak to the very basic needs that are part of our lives.  We need to know that we are loved and cared about.  Sadly there are many people in our world who do not have that knowledge or that experience.

    The good news is that we can do something about it.  We can make a difference.  We can change the world.  The kindness with which we treat each person we meet, the graciousness with which we act toward those who are a part of our world, the gentleness which is part of our conduct all make a difference in the lives we touch.  In the end, they are the beginning of  understanding  what the love of God is all about for those who do not know the most important love there is.  

    Jesus said to go and make disciples of all the world. I believe that begins with introducing people to God’s love and grace through the way we interact with them on a personal level.  We can change the world for Christ.  It’s as simple as an unexpected hug, an “I love you”, or a kind word or gesture.

Reverend Marie Williams
Head Pastor
Blackwater United Methodist Church