Just Another Workweek

January 31, 2023

Beloved:
          I woke up at 5:02 am with dog breath puffing in my face from above.  We went out and came back in.  An hour later, the same.  Another hour later we had just come back inside when she vomited on the floor.  And so has gone the morning.  She does her business so I know she’s not obstructed, a common trouble with golden retrievers, after they’ve eaten a sock or a dishrag.  She drinks and eats her cream of chicken soup.  I’m pretty sure she has a tummy ache so she’s resting in her crate while I scrub the carpet and start another workweek.
          There’s the sermon, of course, poking me in the shoulder, no matter what else I’m doing.  And the church building, always begging for something.*  This past weekend an entire gutter fell and was dangling above the sidewalk.  But best of all, always, is the flock, the beloved – to call, to write, to visit and/or otherwise keep up with.  I love it.  Even though I’m not as good at it as I once was, I love keeping all of your storylines in my head over time and then looking back to see how God has worked for good in our lives and our life together.  I rarely feel like I’m doing big work, but I know it’s important work that is cultivating spiritual community in the land of self-interest and debilitating loneliness.
          To that end, we’ll finally have another Wednesday Night Supper tomorrow after our long holiday hiatus.  Some have asked about the soup I’m making, so the recipe is linked here.  I’ll have something vegetarian too.  Others are bringing sides and a birthday dessert for Rob D.’s 50th!  Don’t miss this chance to spend time at the table this week.  Call the church to sign up to bring something or just show up!  

~ peace & prayers, 
pastor annette
    
*Madeleine L’Engle wrote that “having a house is like having another child, as it’s always begging for something.”