 Disciple:
Be One, Lead One
We continue encouraging one another to go and be disciples. How are
you being a disciple today?
As one of your pastors I am honored to walk with you through the
many stages of life you experience. I have baptized children and
adults, I have visited young and old in the hospital, I have
officiated at weddings and presided over funerals, but last month I
was invited to lead an event that I hadn’t yet seen at Sammamish
Hills Lutheran Church. I was asked to lead a blessing for a home.
What a great joy it was to be asked and to gather a community in
blessing a new dwelling. I took the small group from room to room
in the house, we all took turns reading an appropriate scripture
selection and leading a prayer for blessing and protection. The
final blessing was over the table where a great potluck meal had
been spread out.
As I drove away there was one scripture in particular that stood out
in my mind. As the living room was being blessed Acts 20:11 was
read.
Then Paul went back upstairs, and after he had broken bread and
eaten, he talked with them a long time, until dawn. Then he
left.
Have you ever stayed up with a guest talking until dawn? I know
that I have and those are some of the greatest conversations.
Catching up with family or friends and suddenly you realize that it
is way too late (or too early!). I find the best conversations are
accompanied by a meal and amazing fellowship follows.
This passage also reminds me of the “Minnesota Goodbye.” I learned
about this phenomenon shortly after marrying Kaia. I learned that
there is a rule against saying goodbye once and leaving. You say
goodbye in the house, on the front step, at the car, in the car, and
you wave as you drive away. Sometimes a goodbye can last an hour or
more.
I love the Minnesota goodbye because it reinforces how important
community is for each of us. We grow in faith by listening to God
and to each other. One goodbye will not suffice! And you can only
listen if you make room in your life and in your home for others.
Pr. John and I are going to continue pushing you to open your homes
to friends and neighbors, because it is the best way to strengthen
faith and your community at Sammamish Hills. Who knows, you may end
up talking until dawn.
Peace,
Will
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