GRIST FOR THE MILL … written by Liz Milani
What was the first thing you said about your child when they were born?
If that’s not something you’ve experienced, what was the first thing you thought or said when you saw a loved one’s newborn?
I bet your first thoughts and words were filled with awe and wonder.
When I first found out I was pregnant with my son, Sam, it blew mind to think I had so much love for a little person who was still such a mystery to me.
I didn’t know what gender he was, or what color his hair would be… I had no idea that he would have a husky voice and that he would eat as much as two adults and still be as skinny as a rake.
There was no way I could have known back when I pee’d on that little stick, and it revealed a plus sign that he would be an introvert and that he would love Andy Griffiths books, and that he would be kind and gentle, and that he would hate getting in trouble, and would struggle with shame, and would want to be left alone, and that watching him cry would tear my heart into tiny little pieces.
I loved that baby so completely, even though, in a sense, I had never even laid eyes on him and knew nothing about him except that he was mine and I was his.
A lot has happened in the eight short years since we first met face to face. I’ve had to discipline him, and I’ve had to apologise to him.
I’ve cooked him thousands of meals and picked up millions (or so it seems) of toys left by him in random places all over the house and yard.
He’s grown from a bald, brown-eyed little fella, to a tall brown haired little man with a voice and a personality and dreams and hang-ups.
What sustains us, is that love.
That original affection, compassion, tenderness, and passion that I felt for him since I discovered that he was growing within me.
I tell that boy all the time that he was made in love, by love, and for love.
He is still mine, and I am still his.
Always will be…
Do you know what the Divine’s first words about humanity were?
When S/he looked upon the creation of heart and hands and energy?
When S/he first heard us breathe, saw our hearts beat through the skin of our chests?
Most of us mistakenly think (subconsciously or otherwise) that our human story started at Genesis 3 when Adam and Eve ate the fruit and were exiled from the garden.
We look at that story as the root and core of who we are.
But Genesis starts at Chapter 1, not 3.
In the beginning, God hovered over the void -the emptiness that was about to be filled – like a mother hen, like a woman about to give birth… and The Divine brought forth life in all of its varied glory.
And when it came to our birth?
God looked upon us, blessed us, and said:
“It is good, so very good.” (Genesis 1:31).
WHAT’S ON AT GRACE UNITED!…
WHAT: EXPLORING OUR FAITH
WHEN: THIS, February 22 at 10:30 am
WHERE: 518 Morris St.
Continuing in our series on the Ten Commandments with what promises to be a lively discussion of the fifth commandment: honoring our parents.
WHAT: ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
WHEN: Sunday, February 24 (immediately after worship)
WHERE: Grace
Please plan to stay for this very important gathering.
WHAT: SOUL DEEP: GUIDED MEDITATION AND PRAYER
WHEN: Thursday, March 14 at 7:00 pm
WHERE: Grace
An invitation to leave behind the franticness of life for an hour of guided meditation, quiet contemplation and prayer.
OUT OF THE COLD …
Our next opportunity to serve is coming up on Friday!
Please speak with Marilyn Boileau or Joanne Blackwell if you are able to help.
COLDEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR …
Team Grace would still love to receive your generous donations!
Please speak to Leona, Rita, Marilyn, Laurie, Phyllis or me before THIS Saturday😊
SCRIPTURE LESSONS FOR SUNDAY … Genesis 45:3-11,15 Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50 Luke 6:27-38
PRACTICES FOR A SOULFUL WINTER… Here is a passage from Diane Ackerman’s Dawn Light on the joys of winter:
“Personally, I love winter, and regard snow as a great big toy that falls from the sky, just as I did as a child. I love how snow becomes a prism in the sun, crinkling with colors, and how ice coating a wire fence creates visual firecrackers. I love that snow is a mineral, falling as billions of temporary stars. Today I am paging through an exquisite atlas of
snowflakes, from crystal ferns and side-branching stars edged with rime droplets to ice slabs and puffball clusters.”
Winter provides us with a smorgasbord of surprises.
Take a few moments today to write down five reasons why you LOVE winter.
Grace United Church Sudbury 