Rev. Richard Smith
Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…
One of my favorite singers is Neil Diamond. One of my favorite of his songs is titled, The Story of My Life. As Diamond sings it and as we experience it, we’ve all got a story to tell. No two stories are exactly alike. No one’s story can or should be imposed on others as a model. But, each person’s story matters.
Some stories reveal exceptional challenges, pain, and difficulty. That of others may reveal less suffering. Some stories reflect special opportunities for fulfilment while other stories reveal, again, more challenging pathways. You get the picture!
A couple of months ago I had the opportunity to get to know and, over time, to spend quite a bit of time with a homeless person here in Frankfort. As I walked with him the path of getting government housing and deserved benefits, I discovered a man whose upbringing was greatly more challenging than mine, whose obstacles required a resilience mine didn’t, and whose disappointments would hamper any human being. Thankfully, he now has an apartment and is getting the resources he needs; not because of me but because of his persistence and community resources.
Amidst his story and my story, as different are they are, there are these common benchmarks:
We are both recipients of God’s undeserved grace.
We both celebrate the life and witness of Jesus.
We both have friends who really care about us.
We both have been blessed by God.
We both want to treat others with dignity and respect.
We both believe our joy is, in part at least, a choice we make.
We both believe in trying to help others.
We both understand that one can focus on the difficulties threw our way or we can focus on the blessings we daily encounter.
We both know moments when God gives us needed wisdom.
We both know moments when God gives us needed strength.
We both can celebrate the love of God made known in Jesus.
You recognize the truth here, of course! It’s that there is more which binds us together as God’s children than what separates us or distinguishes us.
Let me also share that this new friend has taught me as much as I may have taught him. His practical knowledge from his unique life experiences has been invaluable in helping me with ministry work I’m leading here at our church. His life learned guidance will help insure that what we do really makes a difference!
Thanks be to God for what we all can learn from one another; as we’re open!
