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CAPA Corner: Words of Encouragement from the Central Area Pastor’s Association

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    We are now two weeks into the Lenten Season, a time of reflection, introspection and repentance.  During these 40 days, we think about and remember how much God loves us and how much God wants for us in our lives – to be happy and fulfilled, to experience the abundant life that God has offered to us through our Savior Jesus Christ and perhaps most of all, God wants us to love him.  
    We show our love for God through various ways: by treating other people – everyone – with love, care and respect; by caring for the world that God has given us; and by worshipping God in Christian Community.  That means by going to worship with our brothers and sisters in church.  It’s interesting to me that here in the United States more than 80% of those who were raised in the church consider themselves “religious” but only a fraction of those persons attend worship on a regular basis.
    A priest noticed that a young girl was frequently coming into the sanctuary of the church.  She would walk in, sit quietly in a pew toward the front and then leave.  Before long, she would be back again to repeat the same behavior.  One day he stopped her before she left and asked, “What are you praying and asking God for?”  And as only a child can, she responded, “Oh, I’m not asking God for anything.  I’m just sitting here loving him for a while.”
    During the rest of this Lenten season, wouldn’t it be great if all of us would spend some time in the sanctuary “just loving God for a while”.  I believe our churches and our community would be a different place.
Blessings,
Rev. Marie Williams, Blackwater United Methodist Church
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