A
Recently I was advised by a leader
at
With rest comes reflection, especially when returning to somewhere you haven’t been in awhile. My house has changed as many of you might know. My parents had our siding changed from a yellowish tint to a light green color. I pulled into the driveway dumb-founded. It made me think of how long our house has been that color. I thought about the length in which we’ve had our house. I walked into the house and noticed my dad fiddling with something in the corner. Ahh, yes, Christmas lights. Memories flowed into my mind remembering all the glorious mornings we used to, first; get them to work and second; put them up. Then I sat down at my laptop ready to write this reflection that I am giving to you. The only thing I needed was my brain, packed with memories that many of you don’t remember or even know about. But that’s not important because I remember them, and that’s what makes them meaningful.
I want you to keep two words in mind today: Generosity and Grateful.
I’ve seen a lot of generosity in my day. My mom was pretty generous; she never had to clean those nasty athletic clothes. My dad has always given me things out of generosity. He let me have the second helping to finish off the meatloaf, as you can see. Coaches and teachers have always taken interest in my well-being, making sure I stayed on the right track. Other than that, the majority of generosity I’ve witnessed has been from this congregation.
I have seen generosity within the Christian education program in my youth. Teachers who had something to teach every Sunday to us kids. Do I remember anything that I was taught? Most likely not, but I kept coming back. Some of my best friends have come from this congregation, from those Sunday school classes. For both the teachers and the friends I am grateful.
Some of you didn’t even have to do anything. You just tolerated my awkward adolescent years. Everyone has awkward adolescent years. Some last longer than others. Mine just ended two years ago. No matter what my hair looked like, or what shorts and sandals I was sporting. No matter how weird I became, I always felt welcome. For your tolerance I am grateful.
I have seen generosity by the questions you have for me. I loved it that you have always wanted to know the sports I’ve played, the girlfriends I’ve had, or the education I have received. It makes me feel so special, with a sense of worth. Your questions show interest and make my life valuable. For your interest I am grateful.
I am grateful for Carl who has taught me what dedication and hard work looks like. I am grateful for the choir who has shown what appreciation for music is. I am grateful for the youth group which has continued to grow despite adversity. I am grateful to Barb who has shown me what commitment looks like. I am grateful to Mrs. W. who has shown me what love looks like. I am grateful for the E. family and the experience of what child-sitting is like. I am grateful for the employment opportunities I have received. I am grateful for the Bates’ and the concern for my education. I am grateful for Officer S. who let me out of three tickets!!! Of course I am joking. I am grateful for the friends of all ages that I have made and that I continue to make.
However, this generosity is not just a one-way street. I have recieved because you made an investment in me. To make this relationship work between us, I take, but I also need to give. I need to give my time and effort back to you, the congregation. I realize my ever increasing role. I now become you, the man who asks the young boy the questions to make him laugh, the vacation Bible school teacher, the deacon that serves for the good of the congregation, the person who volunteers their time to hang the greens, the leader who takes time to accompany a mission trip, the person who takes care of the church by mowing the lawn or cleaning up the leaves.
I am thankful and grateful for all that I have been given from the generosity of you, the congregation. I am also thankful for the value it has instilled in me to be a member of this congregation, so that we as a church can live on. I was not committed to this church when I became a member at the age of 16. I became committed when I was invited to sit in the bass section of the choir at age 7, when I was given “important jobs” during dinners held in fellowship hall at age 10, when I was greeted by a youth group leader week in and week out at age 18, sometimes when I was the only one there. This is the generosity that I was shown. I am committed as I join all of you, the congregation, to show this generosity to the youth of our church so that they might commit to this congregation out of love. Then, maybe 20 years down the road, a young man in his college years, might step up to this podium and give thanks for the things he has been given. The things that I have given to him. The things that we have given to him. The people who loved him, noticed him, took time to invest in him; he will then make the commitment to them, as I have.
I have attended this church for 21 years. I am pretty sure that the first Sunday after I was born was spent right here in this Sanctuary. I pray that I will spend many more Sunday’s here in this very house of God. I am so happy that I was able to speak on the weekend of Thanksgiving Day, a time for me to reflect and remember what God has given me, and what I am grateful for, including a church that cares. Let’s continue to care for many years to come and show a plentiful amount of generosity.