Goodness Weekly 1.9.22
“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul—and sings the tunes without the words—and never stops at all.”
– Emily Dickinson
Message from Jess:
You know the funny ice breaker game that people play, two truths and a lie? Let’s play…
I love beets.
I have a motorcycle license.
I have traveled to 10 countries.
If you guessed number two as my lie, you’d be wrong! It’s number three. I actually am a licensed motorcycle driver. Well, not a motorcycle but a little scooter affectionately named Francesca. There are many things I love about her, but here’s one of my favorites—when you drive a bike as we bikers call it, the other bikers give you this little hand signal. It’s like a way that says, “Hey, I see you—you and I have this thing in common.” It’s a hand to your side, a low little flick of the wrist, nothing too conspicuous, but it happens just about every time I pass another biker friend.
It reminds me of a Henry Nouwen quote that says: “The Christ in me sees the Christ in you.” And I wonder when we have the awareness and consciousness to be present, if that’s exactly what happens for the interactions that take place with each person we come in contact with.
At supper church last night we answered the question: What gave you hope in 2022? For my conversation partner and myself, it was the people. It was the way that even on the hard days the people were where I saw God. Showing up in loving, patient presence to say, you are not alone. Some days to say—this may be hard to still believe in, but I believe enough for the two of us right now.
If you think back to this past year, is there anything outside of people that really mattered? I have hope in 2023 because of the people I have around me, and I pray that is true for you too.
If it’s not, I hope that you can find a community who honors you, values you, challenges you, and keeps you believing on the days when things are hard. I hope that you see God in the eyes of the people you meet and they see the same in return.
Love, Jess
What’s Good:
Recently we finally surprised the one who is always surprising us! From pandemic porch pics, graphic design, livestream, to just overall spreading of JOY Suz Browning has given so much of herself to all of us. She reminds us constantly to keep believing in what God is doing around us—and sprinkles kindness and encouragement and love everywhere she goes.
Thank you for keeping us believing Suz! We are so grateful for you!
#donutstopbelieving
Upcoming Events:
Sunday, January 15th, 4:30pm Chapel Worship
Wednesday, January 11th, 7:30-9:00pm Youth Group at The Stirmans
Saturday, January 14th, 9:30am Family Morning on the lawn
Inhale:
I put my hope in your goodness
Exhale:
I let go of the fear of what I can’t see
