It has been a while, but I’m back again. I could provide many reasons for my absence from writing, but the persistent urge to blog never fades. Whenever I write, I feel like I’m engaging in something I love.
I want to thank my dear friend Betty Lee, who never pressures me to blog but always reminds me that she misses my posts. So, Betty, because of your gentle encouragement, I’m returning to writing tonight.
It doesn’t surprise any of you if you know me or maybe know me through reading my blog that I am a person of faith. I have attended my current Church since 2003. My Church is a place where I feel known and loved. I can walk in and celebrate the intergenerational relationships, some 20+ years old and others new, and it feels as if we are starting to learn about one another.
I appreciate many aspects of my faith community, but one element resonates deeply and brings peace to my soul. Our mission statement emphasizes “messy and holy work.” This phrase captures the essence of the challenging yet sacred journey of living out our faith and fulfilling the life that God calls us to!
As I return to writing, I want to express that this season of my life feels more messy than holy. However, I believe that God works amid the mess. Through our daily lives, the Spirit will bless our relationships, conversations, the work of our hands, our thoughts and prayers, our last-ditch efforts, pleas, and the cries of our hearts. He will transform our mess into something holy.
In this complicated and broken world, where division is rampant and tragedy often confronts us—where guns, violence, and war take innocent lives, and those who are hungry, homeless, and unemployed struggle to find hope—let us, who live both messy and holy lives, spread goodness wherever we go. We can share a smile, a hug, a greeting, an honest story, tears, or simply a moment of sacred silence.
So, go and live attentively in this moment, both in your own life story and in the stories of others!
Grace and Peace to you,
❤️ Trish
our vision (eastern ave, grand rapids)
God is making all things new; therefore, we are moving with the Spirit in the messy and holy work of
renewing worship,
nurturing faith,
doing justice,
caring for creation and
building community,
with our neighbors.
Glad that you are back! I’m sure there will be no shortage of subjects to write about now and in the future.
Love that you are back! Also suspect you may have helped write your church’s mission statement.😂Will share with you that we were invited to attend the 100 anniversary of the Methodist church I was raised in. Talk about restoration! They tried to die when we left but I never gave up on restoration. God wants all of His children to love each other. Love is a miracle worker!
Love being reconnected. Let’s stay that way. ♥️🙏🥰