Bigger Picture Moment: Are you there God it's me Brook?

I have been avoiding this topic for a while now. Mostly because it's been drilled into me to never talk about politics or religion in mixed company. You don't want to unintentionally offend someone.

And...to be honest I don't know enough about either topic to have a highly educated debate. Especially when it comes to religion.

I was raised old school Lutheran. The fire and brimstone type. Always preaching that I'm a sinner and doing things wrong. At the age of five I didn't understand. I was good all week according my standards, no lying, no hitting, doing my chores, etc. So why is this guy at church telling me I'm bad? I just didn't get it.

Years later I attended a nondenominational church with music and fan fair. I remember liking it as a kid, but early morning Sundays were not my thing.

Eventually, dad found a Methodist church he liked. It was ok, but it was still church. Early Sundays, long sermons, sitting and being still. Not much fun for a kid.

By the time I was in High School, dad let me decide whether I wanted to go. I chose to stay home and he chose to go.

That Methodist church was his beacon till he died.

I on the other hand never became a churchy sort of person. I was married in a church, but neither of my kids are baptised and we don't do anything on Sundays but watch football and hang out in our PJs.

Recently, though I've been asking questions about Faith.

That it means to believe in something.

As I ask these questions and throw them out to the heavens, I sometimes receive an answer.

Like on Monday.

I've been having a hard time at work. So much so that I wasn't sure it was a place where I should stay. All signs were saying "give up". Finally, I just raised my hands to they sky and said "Please, please just let me know that everything will be ok. That I can stay in this job and be happy."

I wasn't making bargains. I wasn't wishing for something. I was just asking for guidance.

And immediately it appeared.

I ended up giving two tours of our retirement community and signing a lease that day.

The mood shifted, and my load was lightened.

I'll admit I'm not ready to give up my lazy Sunday mornings, and you probably won't see me breaking out a Bible anytime soon, but my faith is growing a little bit each day.

And if God knows me as well as I think he does, He knows how much I appreciated His help this week even if I don't go to church on Sundays.

 

We're seeing the Bigger Picture through simple moments -- moments that force us to stop and take notice of the ways our worlds are important, meaningful, and beautiful. Please join us here today!