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Advent Message of Hope

Posted on by Melissa

The drive to church this past Sunday was done in the midst of a gray, dreary morning. The drizzling rain on the windshield and the road did not provide a cheerful environment. But as I drove and contemplated on those surroundings I was reminded of what was in the backseat of my car. A bag. Inside the bag was a notebook. Inside the notebook was a sermon entitled Waiting with Hope. Also inside the notebook was an order of worship with a small graphic of a small solitary lit candle. A candle symbolizing Hope.

Life has its share of gray, dreary days. Sometimes those days stretch into weeks, months, even years. Yet in this journey of life we travel with a solitary light of Hope inside us. It sometimes shines so dim, that we can barely see it glimmer in the dark. But it is always there. We may try to distinguish it (consciously or subconsciously) with our doubts, worries, fears, anger, depression, or anxieties. Yet, while we are doing that there is a counter force hard at work keeping the flames of Hope lit inside us. The Holy Spirit is there tending to that fire.

I thought of all the survivalist shows I’ve seen where people build fires with tiny twigs and dry grass. Tenderly blowing small puffs of air when a small hint of smoke appears until the flame begins to brighten wherein they can blow stronger gusts of encouragement and add more and more kindling until the fire blazes strong and bright.

If you are experiencing a season of life marked by dark and dreary days, I pray that you will hold on to that promise of Hope. The light may be small. It may seemed tucked away in the backseat hiding in a notebook inside a bag that seems out of reach at the moment. Hold on to the promise that it is there. Trust that God through the work of the Holy Spirit is hard at work tending and breathing life into the flame even in those moments you don’t feel like you can contribute to the work. But as you can, pray, worship, read the Scripture. In doing so you can help add kindling to the fire and enable it to burn bright within you.

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Reading Updates for Oct/Nov 2025

Posted on by Melissa

ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN by Mark Twain

I honestly thought this was a re-read. However, I either never finished it earlier in my life or I completely forgot the last third of the book because I didn’t remember any of it. I chose to “re-read” it in preparation to read James by Percival Everett. The premise of that book is that it is written from the perspective of the runaway slave Jim in Huckleberry Finn. I know that for many the the dialogue and language in Twain’s book is problematic and harsh to modern day ears. Yet, if you can push beyond that aspect it really is a fascinating read and should remain, in my opinion, as considered a classic. In the end, what you find is that Twain is elevating Huck and Jim, who by society’s standards of the day are the least educated, morally suspect, and almost less than human characters to be seen as actually the most intelligent and righteous characters in the story. Their devotion and care to each other stands out. Their questioning and wrestling of how society works versus what they intuitively feel is right is prominent. I’m glad I re-read (well actually, finally finished) this book.

JAMES by Percival Everett

I am only about 1/3 of the way through this book. It is quite interesting to read it with Huckleberry Finn fresh in my mind. While it is not necessary to read Twain’s book prior to this one, I would recommend doing so if you get a chance. My journey to reading these two books came about because I saw that Percival Everett is scheduled to be one of the authors for the Lenoir-Rhyne Visiting Writer’s series in January of 2026. I am planning to attend that event and wanted to read this book prior to that. I can’t fully review a book I haven’t finished, but I will say that I am enjoying it so far and am looking forward to finishing it.

FREEWATER by Amina Luqman-Dawson

I chose this book to read simply because it was the 2023 Newbery Medal winner and it was available at the library the day I went searching for some books to read. One of my self-imposed reading goals is to read all of the Newbery Medal winners. It has been an interesting journey so far. You can see my progress here: Newbery Winners. I am about 2/3 of the way through reading this book. And I have thoroughly enjoyed it so far. Interestingly enough this book too is about runaway slaves. It is the story of a brother and sister who initially tried to escape with their mother. Their mother due to circumstances was left behind and captured. The two young children find themselves taken in by other escaped slaves who have developed a community living in a nearby swamp. Though Freewater, as it is called, is a fictional place the book is “inspired by the Great Dismal Swamp and the enslaved souls who found refuge and freedom within its confines” which stretched “over fifteen hundred square miles” from Virginia to North Carolina. This was a part of history that I had never heard of before. Even though it is a book written with an audience of young children up to the age of 14, I would highly recommend adults read this as well. It is very rich, deep, and informative.

TO LOVE AS GOD LOVES by Roberta C. Bondi

This was an assigned book for one of my Course of Study books for a class on theology. Its subtitle is “Conversations with the Early Church.” And indeed it is. The book’s premise is to be in dialogue with the writings of early church fathers and mothers, many of whom who chose a monastic lifestyle. The book touches on the subjects of Love, Humility, Passions [what we would recognize as the deadly sins], Prayer, and God. It was a really good and informative read that invites one to engage in those subjects in a new way. From the beginning the author states that agreement with the early ancients is not required because our modern day understanding and thinking is going to of course be different. However, their writings still have much truth to teach us and at least spur us to think about things in a different way. The book is both very accessible to an average lay reader but also provides an avenue to topics and thinking for those who want to go deeper in their theological thoughts.

THE FIRST THOUSAND YEARS by Robert Louis Wilken

This too was a book assigned for my recent Course of Study class on Theology. Subtitled “A Global History of Christianity,” this may appear at first glance to be quite an imposing (one might say boring) book to tackle. Yet, this one too has a very good balance of deep historical knowledge but is presented in a way that is accessible to most readers. I say most readers only to say that I think one must have at least a passing interest and curiosity into the history of Christianity from its early beginnings to enjoy reading this book. Wilken, like Bondi above, is able to balance a telling of deep rich heritage within a writing syle that is accessible and understandable. Not that it is a light read to take on a beach vacation for light enjoyment. But it is presented in a way that is not overwhelming to a reader who is interested in this subject and ready to engage with it.

To sum up, this is part of what my brain has been engaged in recently. Hope this is helpful to some one. If none of these books spark your interest, maybe my next set of reading material will. I’ll share that when I can. Otherwise, at minimum will you at least take my advice and read something? Please! Society as a whole is reading less and well, I think in many ways it is beginning to show.

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MURDER YOUR EMPLOYER: McMASTERS GUIDE TO HOMICIDE by Rupert Holmes

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Most murder mysteries start with the victim and then the rest of the story revolves around trying to discover who committed the crime. This book flips that on it’s head. Instead, we start by knowing who the murderers (or deletists as they are referred to) are from the beginning. The mystery, or the question left to be answered, is whether the three deletists will be successful in their endeavors.

The premise of the book is that Dean Harbinger Harrow of McMasters Conservatory, a secretive and secluded educational institution dedicated to the teaching of the homicidal arts, has endeavored to share the accounts of three of their students as case studies. The reader is invited to follow along with Cliff Iverson, Gemma Lindley, and Doria Maye as they each develop their individual thesis (that is how they plan to murder/delete their subject), attend classes to learn best methods and how not to get caught, and then observe the success or failure of the execution of their plan.

Admittedly, a part of me has some qualms about both the fact I enjoyed this book and am suggesting to others to read it as well. My moral code does not in any way endorse the act of murder. And if I thought that this book would indeed drive someone to consider such an action, I would not heartily recommend adding it to one’s reading list.

The fact is, that it is entertaining, engaging and a creative piece of work. The pages are full of puns and wordplays which elicited a lot of smiles, chuckles, laughter, and the occasional groan – which in my world is one of the highest praises for a well crafted pun. This is all done under the guise of what the narrator is purporting to put forth as a serious, sober, professional, and high-minded account and treatise on the purpose of this particular unique educational training.

Additionally, it it’s own darkly comic way the book does indeed pose questions of morality, friendship, loyalty, and obligations to family and friends. Again, I had to do some soul-searching as I found myself often hoping to see the three murderers/deletists successfully graduate by completing their murder/thesis.

Lastly, the twists and turns that take the reader by surprise are also well-crafted. They are plausible, well-timed, and if they were fore-shadowed (I would have to re-read the book to determine if I missed anything) it was done very subtly. I truly found myself not being able – and something rare for me – not even wanting to try to figure out what was coming ahead. I was able to just let myself drift along wherever to plot stream took me.

If you have found yourself stuck in, or at least gravitating to, a particular genre of reading lately, then I highly recommend adding this one to your list. It was an enjoyable trek down a different reading path for me and may be the same for you as well.

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Again

Posted on by Melissa

The pastor of my home church asked me to fill in for him for the two Tuesday Bible Studies for his Charge while he was out of town. I used the July 10th, 2024 devotional reading, from The Upper Room Daily Devotional along with their provided discussion guide questions for our study.

In addition to that resource, I also included some of my own thoughts and observations on the Scripture text, Psalm 71. I share those here and now with you:

Repetition of Word “Again” (Verses 20-21)
• “Revive me again”
• “Bring me up again”
• “Increase my Honor and Comfort me once again”
In our ailments, pains, and distresses it’s very easy to fall into the trap of only seeing the present troubles and infirmities. This Psalm reminds us to take time to remember and recall God’s faithfulness and deliverance in times past. Don’t be afraid to ask and pray to God a simple prayer requesting “Again.” That one-word prayer can express a lot. It tells God you remember the past help and past answered prayers supplied in your earlier years. It also offers a simple plea for God to do it again. This one word prayer expresses: Gratitude / Thankfulness / Praise / Request.

Psalm 71 encompasses our whole life and its stages along the way.
• Verse 6 – “Upon you I have leaned from my birth; it was you who took me from my mother’s womb.”
• Verse 17 – “O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.”
• Verse 9 – “Do not cast me off in time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength is spent.”
• Verse 18 – “So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to all the generations to come.”

While there is a personal prayer of remembrance and plea embedded in this Psalm, verse 18 reminds us that our faith and our testimony is not just to be used in our personal lives and trials. We are reminded that to be beloved and called by God is a call into a community and to outreach to others. We are “to proclaim (God’s) might to all the generations to come.”

We often like to celebrate, highlight, encourage, and fund the contributions of Youth and the excitement and exuberance they bring to a church community. Yet, we must never do so at the expense of what older members can contribute as well. First, and foremost, their wisdom from lived experience. Secondly, the reminder and example that with God strength and renewal is possible at all ages.

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Hitty: Her First Hundred Years by Rachel Field

Posted on by Melissa

Hitty is a small wooden doll of about 6 inches with movable arms and legs made from white ash by a peddler for the daughter of a sea captain in the 1820s. Now residing in an antique store in the 1920s, she has put pen to paper and written the memoirs of her various adventures and travels. This book was the 1930 winner of the Newbery Medal given for children’s literature and was inspired by a doll owned by the author Rachel Field.

I can say as a child I probably never would have read this book and would have given the stink-eye to any librarian who suggested it for me. I was not the kind of young girl who played with dolls. I only picked up and read this book because of my goal of reading all the Newbery Medal winners throughout the years. As an adult I am still not a “doll” person, yet I did find this to be an interesting story to read. I could see how the appeal of a tale from a doll’s perspective could be intriguing to a youngster who does like to play with dolls. And perhaps even to an older individual who collects dolls as a hobby.

Written from the first person view of the doll is a creative and imaginative decision by the author. Within the accounts of her adventures the reader is giving small glimpses into changes of society throughout Hitty’s hundred years of life. Over that span of time she travels by carriage, whaling ship, train, and finally in an automobile. She comments on the various thrills, excitement, and fear that each of these evoke from her. She ends up living in places such as Maine, India, New England, and New Orleans. Likewise, as she finds herself passing from owner to owner, mostly by being lost by one and then found by another, she remarks on the changes in clothes that people wear, family dynamics, and social issues of the day. Obviously, none of this is delved into very deeply by the author, but again I found the idea of seeing such changes through the doll as an impartial and outside observer an interesting way to view such things. As a book for children, it at the least might have inspired them to want to learn more about some part of history or culture that is only lightly touched upon within it’s pages.

As a book written in 1929, it must be noted that it does contain some dialect ascribed to certain characters and words ascribed to natives of an island that may seem offensive to modern readers. An astute and mature reader can, or at least in my opinion should, be able to take such things in stride and take into account the always changing attitudes in what is the norm of a certain period of time. I personally, don’t even think these few problematic passages are enough to “corrupt” the thinking or attitude of a young reader today. But I also admit I am not an expert in childhood development nor am I a children’s librarian with experience and knowledge on what books are best to recommend to children.

All I can say is that as an adult reader (and secret aspiring writer) I found the story idea unique and well-written and well-crafted.

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Are You Ready for Christ(mas)?

Posted on by Melissa

Following is the text of my Sermon for the 1st Sunday of Advent on December 3, 2023

Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-9

Are you ready for Christmas? I’m sure by this point everyone has both asked that question of others and  been asked that question by other people. The typical answers people provide usually run along the lines of recounting how many presents have been bought, how many decorations have been put up, how many baked goods have been prepared, how many party plans have been made and things such as that. All good answers. However, there is a more important question that should be considered during this time. That is this: Are you ready for Christ? This is the first Sunday of Advent. This is a time of waiting and preparation. This is a time when we are invited to once again look for and anticipate a new understanding of the mystery and the wonder of the Incarnation, the coming of Emmanuel with us. God in the flesh to dwell and exist with and among us in a new way.

This morning we lit the Candle of Hope. We must start the time of Advent with a focus on Hope. We must cultivate an attitude of Hope to be ready to continue the preparation to look for the Peace, Joy, and Love that is also being presented and offered during this time. When people feel hopeless, they aren’t in a place to be ready to expect good things. So, we must begin with Hope.

At first, this Scripture from Isaiah doesn’t seem to be a good choice for a message of hope. It is a message of lament. A cry of desperation in the midst of trouble. Where is the hope? It’s there. And we will get to it. But first, it helps to know the context of this passage of Isaiah. The prophet’s words come during the time of the Israelites return from exile. They have returned to their land but things aren’t all back to the glory days yet. The temple has not been rebuilt. They are not feeling God’s presence in a powerful way. We started with the words, “O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence.” Isaiah, on behalf of the people, is imploring God to make his presence known in a powerful and unmistakable way. I think we can all relate to that feeling. We all have moments when we are waiting to hear a message from God and we long to have it delivered in a way that makes it clear and easy to receive. I know I have longed for that in my life many times when I feel God has been too silent and too quiet for too long.

When I read that passage it brought to mind one specific Christmas memory from my childhood. It was the year I had requested that Santa bring me a typewriter as my gift. I woke up Christmas morning and there it was. That was exciting enough to see. But to top it off, there was a sheet of paper loaded in the typewriter with a note from Santa thanking us for the cookies and milk and wishing us a Merry Christmas. A personal message from Santa Clause – now that was really exciting. Not to mention that now I had proof that he existed for all those doubters in my life. So, while I read these words in Isaiah, I thought how I would rewrite and reword it in my own words. I would say, “O that you would open my computer and come down and compose a letter, email or text message to show me your presence.” It would be helpful at times to hear so directly from God.

Isaiah continues and reminds God of the awesome deeds of the past and how the mountains had quaked at his presence. But, it had been a long time since things like that had taken place. Now, Isaiah does declare and admit and confess on behalf of the people why that is true. The people had sinned, they had turned away from God, they had been full of iniquity. They were not blameless. They were deserving of punishment and correction from God. But, Isaiah doesn’t stop there. He goes one step further. He implicates God as part of the problem as well. In verse 5 he says, “But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed.” He doesn’t completely say it’s God’s fault necessarily. But, in what I see has a kind of gutsy move, he does imply that God can’t ignore his role in this situation as well. What I hear in these words is Isaiah saying something along the lines of, “Look God, you know how we people are. You know we have trouble always being obedient. We are prone to make bad decisions and stray from the right path. When you hide yourself from us you should expect and know by now that on our own, things are going to get worse.” Isaiah is not exactly trying to excuse the people’s misbehavior and sin. He is acknowledging that this relationship is broken and in shambles. And he is saying that both parties have had a role in that.

Again, so far, we don’t see much of a message of hope in these words of lamentation. Isaiah continues in verse 6 and admits the people “have all become like one who is unclean” and their “righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth” and they “all fade like a leaf” and their “iniquities, like the wind” have taken them away. Yep, not seeing too much hope in those words.

It is in verse 8 when we finally begin to see a turn. It is here that Isaiah’s words become less lamentation and more of a plea. It is here that we begin to see a message of hope. This turn begins with a very powerful three letter word. Isaiah says, “Yet.” It’s a small but powerful word that signals a change in tone. It is what begins to offer a small glimmer of light in a dark situation. Despite the mess, despite the troubles, despite the desperate situation Isaiah expresses the hope that things not only can change but that they will change. Hear the words of verse 8, “Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” This harkens to a similar passage, which is one of my favorites, in Jeremiah where that prophet is sent to the potter’s house to receive the message and lesson that it is God who shapes and molds us. What a wonderful and personal image of God. This is an image of an up close and personal God directly involved in our lives. I hope you have at some time seen either in person or a video of someone working at a pottery wheel. It’s a messy, hands-on process. Initially, the process is not so much violent, but is intense. The potter begins by slapping the mixture of clay and water together and begins to form a rough outline of whatever the work is meant to be. Then as the process continues, the work becomes more delicate and focused on minor details. That is how God works in our own lives. First, it is in a broad manner. The purpose is to awaken in us an awareness of who God is and how he loves us and more importantly our need and dependence on him. Then as we continue to yield ourselves, our plans, and our decisions to his guidance God then begins the more delicate workings in our lives, gently and lovingly making us into the uniquely designed image of the Creator he has destined for us.

Therein, lies our hope. A loving God who wants to be that close and involved in our lives. And to do that, he sent Jesus, the Word made flesh, into this world as a tiny baby in a manger. The God who has the power to tear open the heavens and make the mountains quake in his Presence, instead decided to enter this world as a helpless little child. This willingness to so embody himself to truly experience what we experience is an amazing example of love. We talk often of Jesus and his willingness to die for us. But it starts here. It starts with him willing to live with us. To live with humanity in all of its messiness, struggles, and trials.

The author C. S. Lewis wrote:

God could, had he pleased, have been incarnate in a man of iron nerves, the Stoic sort who lets no sigh escape him. Of his great humility he chose to be incarnate in a man of delicate sensibilities who wept at the grave of Lazarus and sweated blood in Gethsemane. . . . He has faced all that the weakest of us face, has shared not only the strength of our nature but every weakness of it except sin. If he had been incarnate in a man of immense natural courage, that would have been for many of us almost the same as his not being incarnate at all.

Hope. The Israelites hoped for and waited for the coming of their promised Savior. Remembering their time of hoping and waiting and learning and drawing on the inspiration of the faith they exemplified is part of what we are doing during this time of Advent. Admittedly, their moments of faith had its ups and downs and highs and lows. But, we can learn lessons from both their successes and their failures. Their hope was realized on that holy night of Christ’s birth.

And as I thought of all that time of hoping and waiting, I couldn’t help but leap forward a little in the story of Jesus’ birth narrative. Not far. Just forty days after his birth. That was when we read of his presentation at the temple by Joseph and Mary the purpose of which was to fulfill Mary’s ritual purification after childbirth and to perform the redemption of the firstborn which was in obedience to the Law of Moses. Hear this account of what happened while they were there.

From Luke 2:25-32

 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
    you may now dismiss[d] your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31     which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and the glory of your people Israel.”

At this moment in time Simeon represents and embodies all of that time of hoping and waiting. He had righteously and devoutly committed himself to the waiting of the consolation of Israel. Led by the Holy Spirit he showed up at the temple courts at the time the child Jesus was brought in. And he took the child in his arms, praised God, and said he could now be dismissed in peace because his eyes had seen God’s salvation. Think about that. Not only had he seen God’s salvation, but Simeon had also literally held the Hope of the World in his arms.

Hope. I said part of Advent is remembering Israel’s time of hoping and waiting. The other part is acknowledging our current period of hoping and waiting. We know the story of Jesus. We know how the rest of it ends. We know that the salvation work of the Cross has been accomplished. So, our hoping and our waiting are different. We are hoping and waiting for the return of Christ in his glory to fully redeem and restore the world and all of humanity. So we hope and we wait. But we don’t sit back and wait passively. It is time of active waiting and preparation.

As we heard at the end of the song In the Bleak Midwinter sung earlier in the service, give God what only you can give. Give him your heart.

Be open to letting the Potter mold you.

And know that like Simeon we can hold the Hope of the World in our arms. Not in a literal sense has he did. But still, as we look for a new revelation and understand of hope remember the Hope of the World is present with us here today.

I end with the question I began with. Are you ready for Christmas? More importantly are you ready for Christ? Are you ready to meet him once again anew and in a fresh way?

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Waiting to Hear from God

Posted on by Melissa

O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence –

Isaiah 64:1

While I am fortunate that I have many fond Christmases memories from my childhood, this year I have thinking about the year I got a typewriter from Santa Claus. I don’t remember how old I was. Now, it was not a fancy professional typewriter that one would find in a business office. Yet, it was more than just a toy typewriter. It was fully functional with a ribbon and held regular size paper. What made the gift more awesome that year was that Santa actually took the time to type out a short little note with it and leave it sitting in the typewriter. If I had ever doubted his existence, I didn’t that year – because I had proof!

I loved watching The Waltons when I was growing up. (Actually, I still do.) John Boy was my favorite character. I harbored a dream of growing up to be a female John Boy spending afternoons and evenings sitting at a desk typing away and producing pages and pages of insightful writing. I guess in a way that dream has come true. I have spent a lot of my life writing. Journaling, blogging here, writing for the church newsletter, and now as a pastor writing a weekly sermon. The determination of whether all those pages of writing are insightful or not I guess is left to others.

As I’m sitting here planning and working on my sermon for the First Sunday of Advent, I feel drawn to the Isaiah 64:1-9 portion of the Lectionary Readings. And as I read the first verse where Isaiah cries out, “O that you would tear open the heavens and come down,” I thought of how often I too cry out to God wanting to feel a powerful unmistakable feeling of the Divine Presence. And even more, a clear and discernible word telling me what to do, where to go, and how to be. If I could be allowed to re-write Isaiah’s words in my own way I would say, “O that you would open my computer and leave me a written note, text, or letter.” I mean, if Santa can do it I know God can do it.

And while I do believe, because I have proof of it as well from past experiences, God does speak to us and does give us messages it doesn’t always happen as clearly and visibly as I would like it to. Advent is a time of waiting. But it’s a time of active waiting. Advent invites us to wait and seek a new inspiration of a message of Hope from God. We hope to be encouraged by God’s Peace, Joy, and Love that is provided to us. And we hope to be inspired to find ways to continue to share that with others.

And so I will wait. But, as I wait I will remember and reflect on verse 8 of Isaiah 64: “Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” As I wait I will be open to being reshaped and remolded as a vessel of God’s work. I will let God continue to make me what God wants me to be. And I’ll keep checking my computer for a special typed note. Well, because you just never know.

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God’s Creation – My First Poem

Posted on by Melissa

When I first started sharing some of my poetry on this site, I swore to myself that I would never share this one. Because when I read it now I cringe and think about how awful it is. How it seems to be an example of everything a poem should not be from all my years of studying Literature and getting a degree in English. I recently changed my mind about sharing it and I’ll explain why below. But first, here is the very poorly written first poem of my life. 

God's Creation

God created us all
Winter, Summer, Spring, and Fall.
He created the sun so bright,
That comes up in the morning and goes 
down at night.

He created trees with little green leaves.
He created voices to talk,
And legs to walk.

He created our sphere,
And divided it into hemispheres,
So we could live a good life,
Without any strife.

I’s okay if you cringed when you read it as well. I forgive you. It’s not great and it’s not full of beauty. Forced rhyme scheme. No imagery. Tells instead of shows. I could go on and on.

Except that I’ve come to realize that there is beauty in that poem. But to recognize that beauty you have to know that I wrote that poem in 1979 at the ripe old age of 9 years old. So now, the beauty to me is found in acknowledging, remembering, and respecting the fact that a 9 year old girl was trying her best to figure out who God was, what knowing who God was meant to her personally, and even what that meant to everyone else around her. That 9 year old girl was trying to find meaning and purpose in her life. Perhaps awkwardly, but at least she was trying. As an aside, this is about the same age of my life that I was trying to decide whether when I grew up if I wanted to be a bread truck driver or a missionary. I’ll share that story in a later post. It’s a great lead-in to the Call Story that I’ve had to share and present to others recently in my journey into ministry.

I often wonder what it would be like now, 44 years later, to go back in time and talk to that young girl. I wonder how she would feel if I told her that her search for answers, purpose, and meaning, and questions about God would still be ongoing. That even now that search is not complete. Would she find the news exciting and challenging, anticipating a life-long search of knowledge and learning? Or would she be discouraged and disappointed to discover that even that many years later she would still be struggling to know who she was and what she was suppose to be in relation to God? And even trying to figure out the mystery of this God in her life and others.

Perhaps, and most likely, it would be a little bit of both just as it is for me today. Sometimes the prospect of studying, thinking, struggling to discover new things is exciting and challenging. Other days I wake up and think, “This again? Life is too hard. I’m tired of trying to figure it all out.”

The one thing I do know is that I do still believe there is a God who created us all. And though the poem doesn’t possess the word “Love” in it, I do think that my 9 year old self was trying to say there is a God that loves us. And that is what my 53 year old self is still trying to say today. Both to others and to myself. Most days I still kind of do so in a very awkward manner. But beauty is found in the attempt and the earnestness and not necessarily always in the manner of conveyance. I pray that even the worst sermon I ever preach, whether in words or actions, still somehow conveys the love of God to someone. I’ve embraced (well mostly embraced) the fact that I’m always going to feel awkward in this world. But if God can use that awkwardness, I feel like all the worry, searching, and longing will be worth it in the end.

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Posted in Personal Thoughts, Religion

Prevenient Grace: God’s RSVP Before the Invitation is Sent

Posted on by Melissa

One of the major tenets in Wesleyan theology is the belief in Prevenient Grace. I know. It sounds intimidating and hard to understand. But it really shouldn’t be. Basically, it is the belief that God’s grace, God’s love, and God’s presence shows up in every place, time, or situation before we do. God is the One who goes before us and waits for us.

As I was mulling this week’s upcoming sermon, the idea of Prevenient Grace came to mind. And I began to look at it in a way I never had before.

Most of us have been there. You’re planning a party or a celebration and you send out invitations to the people you want to share this special day with. And you include a polite request that they respond to let you know if they can attend or not. Having a head count always makes it easier to plan for food, space, and other accommodations.

I realized that God gives us an RSVP promising to attend to every event and moment in our life before we even have the foresight and understanding of who God is. The moment we are born, and daresay even prior to that, God makes plans to be with us anywhere and everywhere we find ourselves to be. Not only plans to be there, but plans to arrive early to meet us there. God promises to be with us in all the major parties and celebrations of our lives. But, perhaps even more importantly, God promises to be there in the difficult times in our lives. When you are sitting at home alone, feeling lonely and burdened down with the cares of the world God is there just waiting to be invited into your pain and hurt.

Notice I now use the term invited. God does it a little backwards compared to what we are used to in our society. He offers the RSVP before we extend the invitation. Yet, he still waits for the invitation. Oh, he certainly shows up. But he waits to be invited into our lives before he fully participates.

Prevenient Grace. The RSVP card that arrives before you have even had a chance to put a postage stamp on the Invitation card. God showed up early. God is waiting. I hope you will consider inviting him into your life.

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Not That Kind of Preacher

Posted on by Melissa

Last December I made plans to attend a Christmas concert at Lenoir-Rhyne University with a friend of mine. Her daughter is a member of the band there and would be performing in the concert. My friend’s daughter shared with her boyfriend that her mother was bringing a friend with her and that I was a preacher. (Technically, I wasn’t one yet but had begun the process.) The boyfriend responded with, “I guess that means I need to behave.” She then replied, “Oh no, don’t worry. She’s not that kind of preacher.” After sharing that story with me, later on both my friend and her daughter reached out and offered to apologize to me if I had been offended by those words. I assured them both that rather than being offended, I took them as a great compliment.

You see, I knew exactly what the daughter was trying to say. She knew I wasn’t the type of person to show up somewhere with a pious, holier than thou, judgmental attitude towards the people I find myself with. I don’t expect or want people to go out of their way to change who they are just because I’m around. I don’t mind seeing and knowing the real “you” that resides inside. Obviously, when we meet new people in any situation neither side needs to share everything about themselves with each other. Relationships certainly need to build trust before some hard things are revealed. But even on a first meeting with someone I don’t mind if they let the cracks show of who they are and what their personality is like even if they have this feeling that it’s something a preacher wouldn’t want to know.

When we look at Jesus’ ministry, we don’t see that he sent out advance teams of disciples or followers to the towns and houses to tell the people to tidy their homes, lives, language, and attitudes because someone holy was on the way. Instead, Jesus showed up right in the midst and messiness of peoples lives and sat with them and listened to them. It was then he would share the news of love, hope, and salvation he had to offer.

That is my goal for the kind of preacher I do want to be. I want to be able to show up, sit with people right in the midst of the messiness (and also joys and celebrations) and listen to them. And then share the news of love, hope, and salvation God has to offer. And hopefully, will be able to tailor it better to their particular situation.

I’ve jokingly told others that I thought about putting the tag-line “Not That Kind of Preacher” on business cards to hand out to people. At least it would be a good conversation starter and hopefully an ice breaker to people to allow them to know that I am open and willing to hear as much honesty from them that they are comfortable to share.

As I sit here and write this, I have just woken to the first day of my license as a Local Pastor being in effect. I pray that for as long as this is part of my life that I will continue to be “Not That Kind of Preacher” and instead be more and more like Jesus every day.

Blessings to you All!

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Posted in Personal Thoughts, Religion

Two Packs of Cookies and One Pack of Cake Rolls

Posted on by Melissa

Two packs of cookies and one pack of cake rolls. That was what the lady in front of me in the checkout line pulled out of her grocery bags and handed back to the cashier when she discovered she didn’t have enough money on her card for everything she had picked out while shopping that evening. The lady had stated she was afraid she didn’t have enough for it all. And she was right. I don’t recall or didn’t see all the other items she had except for the 2 gallon jugs of milk, but my instinct and what I did see was it mostly consisted of typical normal everyday food items that people often need. There were no $100.00 steaks or lobsters with this purchase.

Two packs of cookies and one pack of cake rolls. One can argue that was the wise decision to put back. Sweets and desserts aren’t the necessary main staples we need for our diet. And if you’re like me, you don’t really need them at all. But come one, we all know how nice it is to enjoy a sweet treat like that every once in awhile. Sometimes we deserve nice frivolous things. Even if it is just a little cookie. I say this next part with all respect and no judgement in my heart. But one could tell with this lady’s appearance that she probably didn’t get to experience a whole lot of nice frivolous things currently in her life. Cookies and cake rolls could have been one of those that were a very special treat to her on some days.

Two packs of cookies and one pack of cake rolls. I stood there watching this encounter with this lady with my own buggy full of a mixture of items including groceries, household items, dog treats, office items, shorts, and shoes that ultimately after I checked out came to a total of $277.00. That was more than my usual bill at this particular store when I shop there, but it had been awhile since I had been so I was stocking up on some things I needed. Needed, but didn’t need in the sense I couldn’t live without them. Also, I had already mentally prepared for the fact that this was going to be an expensive outing. And I was financially prepared for it as well. And still had money left over until next payday without dipping into any savings.

Two packs of cookies and one pack of cake rolls. As the lady was handing the items back to the cashier the thought came into my head, “Melissa, you could easily pay for those items for her.” If you know me I think you know what I’m going to say next. I obviously recognized that thought as not my own, but instead was the prompting of God speaking through the Holy Spirit asking me to do what I often pray and promise that I want to do. That is, to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ in this world. So, I stood there debating whether and how to go about doing it. The whether I should do it should have never been a matter of debate, but I let it. Again, it wasn’t about the money. I’m blessed to currently to be in a place to help others at times. The issue I debated in my head was more logistical. I worried that my offer to do so would embarrass the woman. Perhaps, she didn’t want the rest of the people around to also know that she couldn’t afford everything she wanted. I was also worried that she might be offended and it would hurt her dignity.

Two packs of cookies and one pack of cake rolls. I stood there so long debating all the things above until eventually the opportunity had passed without me taking action and offering to pay for the items like I knew I should have done. The woman finished her transaction and left the store. I felt so bad that after paying for my items and loading them in the car I drove around the parking lot a couple times to see if by chance the lady may have still been there so I could offer her some cash money to buy herself some treats. Some nice frivolous treats that we all deserve to have occasionally. Unfortunately, I didn’t find her.

Two packs of cookies and one pack of cake rolls. I spent part of my drive home in tears over those two packs of cookies and one pack of cake rolls. Crying over what they represented in that moment in time. One, they represented my failure to act on what I knew without a doubt I was being led to do in that moment by the God I claim to serve and follow. I know there will be forgiveness. God in fact will forgive me before I forgive myself. Yet, there is something larger than cookies, cake rolls, and a sweet treat involved. That lady will certainly not die for lack of those items. But, God offers something greater to us all than just nice frivolous treats such as those. God offers us his love, grace, and mercy. And God offers us forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ who came to die in our place. It is in the moments that I don’t take the opportunity or follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit to move and act in sharing and offering that good news to others that I am really failing to be what God has called me to be. It is in those moments where the risk of embarrassment or loss of dignity is to me and not the other person. Hopefully, I won’t debate that risk in my head and I will act without regard to either.

Two packs of cookies and one pack of cake rolls. Sometimes that’s all it is. But sometimes it is so much more than that.

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Posted in Personal Thoughts, Religion

Ordinary, Simple, and Unworthy

Posted on by Melissa

You’ve probably all seen them and even had occasion to use one. Those plastic bags with a drawstring they have at hospitals to place your belongings in. They are used to hold clothes, shoes, and other personal items. Though made of plastic and may seem a little flimsy at first glance, they are usually amazingly pliant and more resilient than they appear to be. They can bear more weight than what you may think.

Having worked in an Emergency Department for nearly 21 years, I have countless times assisted a patient or family member place their belongings in these types of bags. Most of the time this is while the patient is temporarily sporting one of our notable hospital gowns that everyone loves to wear. Other times, to help bag up random loose items they want to securely transport home with them.

Sadly, I have often had several occasions where I have had to place the clothes and belongings of a patient who has died in such a bag as this to give to the grieving family. It is those times when I look at the bag and think it is not good enough for such a task. It seems even flimsier at those times. Yet, not just that. It just seems too ordinary, simple, and unworthy to be performing such a task as this. These items are no longer just someone’s belongings. They are now precious treasures and a last link to a lost loved one for a grieving family. I often wish I had something more than a plastic bag with a drawstring to place those items in and offer to the family.

I have also on these occasions been asked to pray with the family at the bedside during these times of loss and grieving. It is at these times I often view myself in the same manner as I view the bag. I feel too ordinary, simple, and unworthy to perform such a task as that. I feel that way because it is true. But while I am praying out loud with the family, I am also simultaneously praying quietly in my head asking the Holy Spirit to work through me and to help me be more resilient, stronger, and capable than I have it on my own to be. I am flimsy. I am weak. But with Christ working through me I can access a strength and power that helps me be more pliant, resilient, and hopefully more comforting and effective than ever feel that I am in the moment.

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Unexpected Gifts

Posted on by Melissa

Several years ago during the time leading up to Christmas, I started something that has become an on and off habit. On and off, because admittedly sometimes I am so caught up in myself and thoughts that I forget to do it. It started out while standing in a checkout line in a store. The customers in line in front of me consisted of a mother and a young child. Suddenly, a voice in my head said, “Give that child a dollar bill and tell them to take it home and put it in their Piggy Bank.” I have learned over the years that that voice is the voice of the Holy Spirit prompting me to do something I would normally not think up on my own. So, I listened. The child and the mother were both shocked but very thankful for this random act of kindness.

So, I have continued to do this over the years. When out eating in a restaurant or standing in line, if I see a young child I give them a dollar and tell them one of my goals in life is to help kids Feed the Piggy. I have received a variety of responses to this over the years, but always positive. Some children are of course shy and they nestle into the arms of a parent, tentatively reach for the dollar, and maybe mumble a small thank you when prompted. Others get this big smile on their face, reach for it, and say thank you without being prompted. Still others smile, get excited, and tell me about a toy or game they have been saving up for and how this will help them reach their goal. The best, however, is that rare occasion when the child after one of these reactions turns to their parent and asks if they can give me a hug. A million dollar hug in exchange for a dollar is not a bad investment at all.

On Valentine’s Day of this year I found myself standing in line at the coffee shop of a local bookstore. While waiting for my order to be prepared I was standing near a table where a very young couple and a very young baby were sitting. I of course smiled and waved at the baby who gave me a small smile back. This led to me striking up the usual conversation with the parents – “How old is he? What’s his name? And I love his little Valentine’s Day bib and outfit.” The mother replied, “5 months. Jonah. And yes, he is Mommy’s little Valentine,” with obvious pride and love in her voice. After I got my coffee I walked over to the table with a dollar in my hand. I asked Jonah if he had a piggy bank yet. Unsurprisingly, he didn’t answer. But his mom said, “No, not yet. I wish.” I handed her the dollar, and still talking to Jonah I said, “Well, when you get one, here’s your first dollar to put in it.”

Obviously, Jonah didn’t respond. But the mother’s reaction melted my heart. She was so grateful and thankful. She told me that was such a sweet thing to do and that when she got home she was going to write the date on the dollar and write down how and when he got it. I wished them all well and went on my way.

While I’ll never know if that’s what she actually does with the dollar, a part of me kind of hope she does. Not for my sake. She doesn’t even know my name and will probably soon forget what I look like. But for Jonah’s sake I like to think that years down the road he’ll still have a dollar with a date written on it and a story behind it about the kindness of a stranger. I like to think that dollar will follow him through life and that on those days when life seems hard, harsh, and unkind that he will use to remind himself that not everyone is like that. And I like to think that it will inspire him to be the kind of person to share similar acts of kindness to the people he encounters in his life.

As stated, this all occurred on Valentine’s Day. According to a quick Internet search, I discovered that the people in the United States were expected to spend a total of $26 billion dollars this year for the holiday. I’m sure many of those gifts were bought and given with sincere love for the other person and received with sincere gratitude by the person getting the gift. Yet, we all must admit the commercialization of this holiday (and others) has also created a culture in where people feel the pressure of being obligated to spend big money on someone to express their love, as well as creating within others to feel a sense of entitlement to receive a wonderful and expensive gift.

Yet, my experience with my “Feed the Piggy” efforts over the years I have learned that the best gifts and the most appreciated gifts are those that come unexpectedly out of the blue and for no seemingly purpose whatsoever. That is true for the child (or parent on behalf of the child) receiving a simple dollar. But, I would dare say it has been even more true for me as I get the gift of simply giving someone a moment of unexpected joy and surprise.

I am writing this on the second day of the Lenten Season. So, to sum up, I would encourage you all to take time during this period of reflection leading up to Easter to think about the unexpected and unmerited gifts of Love, Mercy, and Grace offered to us by God. If you have taken advantage of them in your personal life, then take this time to be thankful. If you have not, here’s a message for you that they are available for the taking.

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Cleansed and Made New

Posted on by Melissa

As you can see in this picture, there are two communion cups. The one on the left is used, stained, dusty, and dirty. The one on the right is new, clean, and clear. I have had the one on the left on my mantle above the fireplace since Christmas Eve of 2019. Now, I am not normally in the habit of keeping the cups when I receive communion, but this time was different as I will explain.

Since 2019 was one of the years my home church was not having a Christmas Eve Service, I looked around for another local United Methodist Church which I could attend that evening. I chose one nearby for the main reason that the Pastor of this church was someone I had known all my life, considered a friend, and whom I had (and still have) a great deal of respect for. At the end of the service as he prepared to serve the Sacrament of Holy Communion he told us that upon receiving the sacrament to hold onto our cup, take it home, and keep it. To be fair, I’m certain he never intended us to keep it as long as I have kept mine. But, I’m glad I have.

After all these years, I don’t remember the exact words he used that night. Essentially, though, he asked us to keep it for awhile as a reminder. Each time we looked at it and saw the stain of the grape juice we would be reminded of our Christ the Savior who can cleanse the stain of sin within us and make us whole and pure again. So, I did. And it was a great reminder. I had all intentions of eventually throwing it in the trash. But it would blend into the background for a bit basically become invisible. Then I would notice it again, be reminded of its significance, and think I’ll keep it a little longer. Weeks became months and there it remained, cycling through moments of blending in and inspiring my faith.

When I walked in that church that Christmas Eve as a visitor one of the first people to greet me was the wife of this Pastor. She too was someone I had known all my life, considered a friend, and had a great deal of respect for. She was a true joy to be around and had a beautiful and welcoming smile. Circumstances didn’t allow me to see either of these two people very often, but any time I saw either one of them I felt loved. About six months after this service she passed away. The next time that stained communion cup caught my eye I was reminded that Christmas Eve service was the last time I had seen her. After that, I could never bring myself to throw it away because it then played a role as another reminder to me in my life. It reminded me of a wonderful and beautiful soul that I had been privileged to know.

I realize that was a lot of back story to get to the actual point of this post. But, for me at least, it is an important part of the story I wanted to share. I realize that this stained and dirty communion cup is not going to invoke the same deep feelings in any one of you. What I do hope is that the juxtaposition of it in regards to a new clean cup beside the cross can inspire you as we head into a new year.

The end of the year always inspires reflection. We look back to where we’ve been, what we’ve done, and who we were. We also begin to look forward to where we want to go, what we want to do, and who we want to be. If we are honest with ourselves we all have regrets. And many of us feel stained, dirty, dusty, and maybe even used. Just like the cup on the left. The good news is that if we bring ourselves to the cross of Jesus we can be transformed to be like the cup on the right. We can be cleansed and made new. A simple prayer is all it takes.

The better news is that this does not just have to happen at the end of a calendar year. It can happen any day. It can happen every day if it needs to. We live in a messy and broken world. And even on our best days when we give our whole heart and soul into being a faithful Christian, we can find ourselves feeling like a mess and feeling broken. God does not want us feeling that way. God is constantly at work within us making us like the cup on the right. Go into the new year knowing that every day God is willing to be at work in your life picking you up, dusting you off, and making you clean – if you will let him. And share that Good News with others.

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Posted in Poetry

Let There Be – A Poem

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Let There Be
by Melissa Peeler

The Word Spoke.
Let There Be. . .
and There Was.
and There Is.
and There Ever Will Be.

The Word Dwelt.
Creator joined Creation.
Intimately and Incarnately.

The Word still Speaks and Dwells.
Let There Be Hope.
Let There Be Love.
Let There Be Joy.
Let There Be Peace.

There Was.
Is.
Ever Will Be.


Melissa Peeler
Composed: November 30, 2022

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Posted in Christmas, Religion, Sunday Reflections

Fear Not! – A Christmas Message

Posted on by Melissa

I have watched A Charlie Brown Christmas countless times over the years. It is one of the shows I always try to get in during the season. Yet, it wasn’t until a couple years ago that I read an article that pointed out something I had missed over the years. It’s a very subtle action that takes place in the show. But within that subtle action lies a very impactful and meaningful lesson for us all.

Near the end, Charlie Brown in exasperation exclaims, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”

Linus responds, “Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.” He then takes center stage, calls for the lights to be dimmed, and recites Luke 2:8-14, the passage about the angels appearing to the shepherds. I’m sure you all have seen this numerous times as well.

What I never noticed on my own was that at the exact moment Linus recites the words of the angel, “Fear Not” he drops his blanket on the ground. Yes, that blanket. The security blanket that Linus carried with him everywhere and never willingly parted with.

Now, most of us, especially as adults, don’t walk around carrying a security blanket with us everywhere we go. At least not visibly. Because if we are honest with ourselves, we do indeed carry invisible blankets with us all the time. We have our own worries, fears, and problems that plague us. And we also all have our own habits, thought patterns, and ways of dealing with those things. It is the old patterns and actions that become our security blankets. As do sometimes the worries, fears, and thoughts we carry. Sometimes, even unconsciously, we hold on to the same worries and doubts on purpose simply because the work of moving forward and through them can sometimes seem scary and hard. Because it is often scary and hard.

What we all need to hear and know is that the message for the shepherds is the same message for us still today. Fear Not. There is Good News. News to bring joy for all the people. A Savior has been born. “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

As we continue through the time of Advent and through the season of Christmastide, I invite you to look within yourself. Consider the security blanket(s) you are carrying around with you daily. And hear the words of the angel to “Fear Not” and be like Linus and drop your blanket to the ground.

As I read other articles about this, many also point out that Linus picks the blanket back up and carries it off the stage with him. And, like Linus, we too will probably sometimes bend back down and pick up the blanket we have dropped. But at the end he gives us another lesson. He and the gang follow Charlie Brown home, whereupon he wraps the blanket around the base of the tree and all the others begin to decorate it. We all will probably go through many cycles of dropping and picking back up our own personal security blanket. Sometimes dropping old ones to pick up new ones. The Good News is that we too have a tree that we can approach and lay them at the base of as well. It is the tree that became the Cross of Christ where he died to save us all. Lay your burdens at the feet of Jesus. Leave them there. And move forward Fearing Not!

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Posted in Christmas, Religion, Sunday Reflections

Waiting with Hope and Walking in Light (1st Sunday in Advent)

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Following is a link to the copy of the Sunday morning message I delivered November 27, 2022 in my role as a Lay Speaker.

Waiting with Hope and Walking in Light (1st Sunday of Advent)

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Posted in Personal Thoughts, Religion

Not Putting Limitations on God

Posted on by Melissa

Many families follow the same tradition of fixing a nice turkey for Thanksgiving. And our family was no different – I remember many wonderful turkey dinners with my family. However, there is one Thanksgiving that I know my mother did not enjoy at all. Regrettably, that is my fault entirely.

For the first couple years of my life instead of fixing a whole turkey Mom always just fixed a turkey breast. With two small children that was all we needed anyway, not to mention that is the best part of the turkey. This worked out well until I turned five years old, started kindergarten, and became a woman (well actually girl) of the world. That year we sat down for dinner and Mom brings the turkey breast and all the other food to the table.

And what do I do but immediately start crying. “I thought you said we were going to have turkey,” I yelled between the wailing. Of course Mom tried to explain that it was a turkey, just part of it. But you see I had seen a picture of what a real turkey looked like at school and this wasn’t it. “But it doesn’t have any legs,” I responded, still crying. Of course Mom tried to explain that it was still the same thing. However, if you have ever tried reasoning with a five-year-old then you know that her situation was pretty hopeless. Her Thanksgiving was pretty much ruined that year because I had hurt her feelings. (Mom, I’m really sorry.)

So how does this tie into our walk as Christians? It’s pretty simple. I sat down that year with a pre-conceived idea of what a turkey looked like. (Okay, I know as a five-year-old I didn’t know what pre-conceived meant, but that’s what it was.) Anyway, when that meal did not fit the picture I had in my mind then I automatically assumed it was wrong. As Christians we do this almost on a daily basis.

God knows us inside out and knows what is best for us. He also has a plan for our life which if followed will allow us to be truly happy and at peace. The problem is we sometimes jump ahead before finding out what he wants us to do. When faced with a situation or problem we get our own pre-conceived ideas of how we think it should be handled. And when God’s way doesn’t go along with our thinking then we get upset. We think he isn’t listening to our prayers or he’s ignoring us. That is so far from the truth.

All he is doing is waiting for us to really come to him with an open heart and an open mind to hear what he has to say about the matter. But often we are afraid to do that, because he may ask us to do something we don’t want to do. For example, say you have a co-worker who is difficult to get along with and perhaps has wronged you in some way. You may be sitting there waiting for Divine Providence to come down and help you get revenge. However, God may be sitting there waiting for you to forgive this person. You don’t want to forgive, you want to see revenge. Until you step back and say, “Thy will be done” and do what he asks then the situation may never be resolved.

“They will be done.” We say that at least once a week during the Lord’s Prayer on Sunday. But how often do we really pray it and mean it? It’s really a hard prayer to pray sometimes. We know it can put us in an awkward and perhaps unpleasant situation. But on the other hand it can also free us to be what God really wants us to be.

So we need to learn to put aside our pre-conceived ideas of how we think God should act in our lives and just let him act. The results can change our lives forever.

Written in November 1998 for my Church’s Newsletter.

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Posted in Christmas

A Truck Stop Christmas

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Several years back, due to various scheduling conflicts my family found it difficult to plan a good and proper Christmas get-together. We were all available on Christmas Day, but neither group had the time to make the drive to the other’s location. Thus, that is how I, my mom, my dad, my sister, and my sister-in-law found ourselves celebrating Christmas at a truck stop near the border of Virginia and North Carolina. That was the half-way point between all our various households.

This was one of the nice, full-service truck stops that offered quite a few amenities for over the road truckers. One of those amenities was a restaurant with a buffet dinner. Since all the other food places in that vicinity were closed for the holiday, that was basically our one and only option. Although, the food, as we came to discover, was actually tasty and appetizing.

After enjoying a meal and spending time together talking and catching up, we moved on out to the parking lot. Standing at the rear of our vehicles with the back doors lifted, we exchanged gifts with each other.

No, this is not the part of the story where I reveal something happened that was so awe-inspiring beautiful that I can now claim that this turned out to be the best Christmas of my life. Because, the truth is that it was not the best Christmas I ever had. I can name many that would top the list compared to that one. Yet, it also was not the worst Christmas possible that someone could experience. I can still look back on that year and know that even though it was a less desirable day than the one we all wanted, it was still a day of being blessed. I had food. I had time with family. I even got some presents. And even there, in a truck stop parking lot, I felt the presence of Immanuel, God with us.

This time of year people work hard to hold on to their family traditions. There is nothing inherently wrong with that attitude. In fact, traditions help promote stability, cohesiveness, and the strengthening of shared memories. The danger lies in the fact that some individuals hold such a grip on the tradition that any wrinkle in the plans or speed bump along the way throws them for such a loop that they find themselves unable to see or acknowledge the small blessings that still await in the here and now, and may be hiding within that wrinkle, speed bump, or setback.

Blessings can be found in the most unexpected places. Like, say for example, a baby lying in a manger in Bethlehem. He did not look anything like the Messiah the people of the time were expecting. Yet, this little child forever changed the world.

Where ever you find yourself this coming Christmas Day, whether it be a beautifully adorned family home, working, or even in the middle of a truck stop parking lot, I pray that you will find yourself blessed and feel the presence of Immanuel.

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Posted in Poetry

Weeping Willow – A Poem

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Weeping Willow
by Melissa Peeler

I do not weep alone, the Willow weeps with me.
In a synchronous swaying of limbs, 
Weighted with Grief and Gravity.

Behind the leafy veil,
Mourning tears and Morning dew mingle.
Branch tips and Fingertips caress the ground
Where lie buried my Hopes and Dreams and
Memories that will never be.

Someday I shall return to dust -
the dust from which I came.
Those who walk this land
Will not even know my name.
But Maybe. Just Maybe.
The Willow will weep for me.

Written in 2021

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Posted in Personal Thoughts

Someday

Posted on by Melissa

The following is from a personal journal entry written 7–25–2012.

Someday. A word of both hope and hindrance. Hope, because it offers promise of a future in which the irritants of the present are no longer in existence. It doesn’t matter if those current irritants are external pressures or interior demons. What matters is that with no actual requirement of immediate action one can envision a time of clarity and utopia. A time where the now is no longer, and since the now seems unbearable, there must be in place a point of time to which the days are marching toward that offers beauty, peace, and an un-named betterness.

The quandary lies in the fact that there is in fact no requirement of immediate action. There is where the hindering aspect settles in and plants the seeds of destruction. Without some course of action or correction the mythical someday can never actualize. The irritants will not, can not just de-materialize on their own. A cleaning must take place, a scrubbing and scouring that tears away the old, allowing an eroding of the old barriers and structures. Absent this removal, the re-building can’t commence.

It is all well and good to dream of a someday. Some days it is that dream alone that allows us to wade through the every day monotony of life. But, the dream must not be expected to materialize on its own. If this is done, then someday may simply morph into never.

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Posted in Poetry

Two Red Birds Chasing the Wind – A Poem

Posted on by Melissa 

Two Red Birds Chasing the Wind
by Melissa Peeler
Two red birds chasing the wind
on a partly cloudy day in Spring.
Or is it a partly sunny day?
What amount of obscurity tips the scales
the other way?
The answer does not matter
to either the birds or the day.
Both continue along their way.
 
The deeper question lies within my soul.
Where, too, exists a partly cloudy day.
Or is it partly sunny?
Here, the answer matters.
A choice must be made.
The amount of obscurity will
tip the scales.

But the choice doesn't have to be
made today, this minute, this second.
So until that day comes - 
I will worry less about semantics
and instead focus on the antics
of two red birds chasing the wind.

Written in May 2012

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Thanksgiving Thoughts and A Prayer

Posted on by Melissa

After 33 years in the healthcare field, I have become accustomed to and accepting of the fact that I will sometimes have to work on holidays. Today is one of those days. I say this completely free from a spirit of complaint, whining, or a “poor me” attitude. I sit here today with a long list of things I am thankful for. I won’t name them all now, but I’ll briefly say I’m thankful that my family is able to gather together for a meal today and thankful for a dad who is planning to bring me a plate for supper tonight, despite my insistence that I am perfectly okay with waiting to eat leftovers tomorrow. I am also thankful that I am working with many co-workers that I truly enjoy working with. In fact, I may prefer the company of some of my work family tonight over my real family anyway. Just kidding!! In short, I am thankful for the many blessings in my life.

With that said, however, I do have one thing resting heavy on my heart tonight from an incident from last night at work. I was going to try to describe the situation in very vague details, but I don’t want to risk in anyway violating the social media policies of my place of employment. So, to whittle it down to the bare essence, after two brief conversations with an individual I felt a familiar tug at my heart that I knew was God telling me to reach out to this person. This happened after I encountered them while they were leaving. They told me they hoped I would have a Happy Thanksgiving the next day. I responded with, “Thank You, and I hope you do as well.” The thing is what little bit I know of this person’s history made me think as soon as I said what I did, that the chances of them having a nice big family meal to attend was very low. That was when God prodded me to turn around, call out to the person and just ask them what their Thanksgiving would look like. At the same time, I had another dissenting voice come into my head. This one said, but why? It’s not like you can do anything about it if they don’t. All I really had to offer in that moment was a little cash if I was to find out they didn’t have enough money to eat today or in the next couple of days. Regretfully, I let the dissenting voice over-ride the initial voice and I let this person walk on without following up with them.

So my main prayer today has been of two things. First, that whoever God tapped on the shoulder next to reach out to this person would be more obedient than I was. Second, if possible that God will take out one of the future blessings he has for me in the bucket with my name on it and moves it into this individual’s bucket. Don’t know if things work that way or not, but that is the request. Since it is Thanksgiving and football is a staple of that, I’ll put it in these terms. I committed a penalty on that play last night, so I need to pay with some loss of yardage. Doesn’t mean the goal line has disappeared from my view or has become unattainable. Just means I’ve got further to go to get there now.

I believe in a God of forgiveness and of second chances. I also know that God has many tools and people at his disposal to accomplish his will. His kingdom does not crumble simply because I failed to do what was asked of me. This was, however, a sin of omission for which I need to atone.

As we wrap up a day of giving thanks and being mindful of the blessings of God, we must always remember that we have to be open and ready to be the conduit of a blessing to another person so that they can add to their list of things to be thankful for.

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Count Your Blessings – But, Don’t Ignore Your Despairs

Posted on by Melissa

Over the years I have come to the realization that there are times when well-meaning Christians offer up advice or common phrases with all the intention of helping someone in need, never realizing it is the wrong advice or words at the wrong time. The common encouragement to “count your blessings” given to someone who is troubled, worried, or burdened by a problem to the point of complaining is one of the prime examples of such a situation. It is often paired with the reminder to the person that there is always someone worse off than they are with whatever problem they are dealing with at the time.

To be clear, counting our blessings is something that should be part of our daily lives. We should pause and reflect at least once during the day and offer thanks to God for what he has done and is doing for us. For one thing, he is worthy and deserving of our praise and thanksgiving. Secondly, it is beneficial to us for our mental and emotional well-being. Remembering that not everything in our life is bad helps put us in a better frame of mind to deal with issues that do arise during our day.

The issue I have with people reminding others to count their blessings is that often the implicit un-spoken meaning of what they are saying is basically, “Quit your belly-aching and complaining. Stop worrying about your little problems.” The problem is that when we don’t address the so-called little problems and work through them, then they begin to grow into bigger problems. While simply worrying about them is not the right course of action, they do require some kind of action and attention to actually deal with them.

If you will permit me, I would like to use a modern day parable to illustrate my point. (And for those of you who know I work in a hospital, here is the disclaimer that this is not a true story.)

There once was a man who went to the Emergency Room because he had a fish hook stuck in his palm. While sitting in the waiting room he saw a man come in with an 8-inch gash on his leg from a chainsaw accident. The stranger sitting beside him said, “Look on the bright side. You’re not having as bad a day as him.” The man with the fish hook stuck in his palm agreed with the stranger. He then decided to go on home. It’s just a little fish hook, he said to himself. The pain will be probably ease up soon and though it’s uncomfortable and inconvenient I can still use my hand with it in there. And so he did. After a week, it got a little red and inflamed. Yet, he could still use it some and had learned to work with the limitations it caused. However, as the weeks went by it got increasingly worse because of the infection inside. Eventually, and because he waited to late to address the issue, he ended up losing the hand entirely and was left with a life-altering situation to deal with. Meanwhile, on the other side of town the man with the chainsaw injury was already healed, had his stitches removed and was back to cutting down trees.

In the immediacy of the moment in the Emergency Room visit it was entirely true that the man with the chain saw injury had the more serious problem and needed quicker and more intensive intervention. The truth of that, however, did not negate or erase the fact that the man with the fish hook did also require some attention and treatment as well.

We do ourselves a dis-service when we continually measure our problems and issues with the problems and issues of those around us. Yes, we can always see someone who is dealing with a situation that is larger and needs more intensive attention. Again, that does not negate or erase the fact that whatever is our problem should be completely ignored. If left unacknowledged, that problem can fester and grow exponentially and cause more trouble down the road.

I am inherently bad about sabotaging my own self without needing help from other well-meaning people reminding me to count my blessings. When I am in despair or dealing with a troubling problem the first thing I tell myself is that there is someone else worse off than I am. While that is the absolute truth, the result is that I add a layer of guilt on top of my problem, because then I start berating myself for worrying about my “little old” problem instead of helping those who are worse off than I am. The problem is, guilt does nothing to help fix whatever it is I am dealing with. Instead, it just helps it fester, redden, and become a more infectious problem. And the more layers of guilt I add, the worse it gets.

We tend to live in a state of mind of Either/Or thinking. Either I can focus on my so-called little problems or I can do what God calls us as Christians to do, in that we are to humble ourselves and put others first. That kind of thinking though sometimes leads us to put aside and completely ignore our own problems. However, there is another alternative. We can instead try to live in a state of mind of Both/And thinking. Wherein, we can work to address and take action on the things that are bothering us and we can reach out to others in need at the same time. We don’t always have to ignore our own needs to try to meet the needs of others.

The other week I reflected on the command of Jesus to “Love our neighbors as ourselves.” When that command is discussed or studied most of the attention and teaching goes into explaining and determining the meanings of the words “love” and “neighbor”. I would suggest we under appreciate the importance of the word “as” in that commandment. In no way does God suggest we love ourselves any less than the way we love others. For me to love others as God calls me to, requires me to love myself in a healthy way. That means not ignoring my worries, despairs, and troubles simply because someone else’s is a little larger at the moment. With God’s help I can succeed with Both/And thinking.

It is a lesson I am trying to learn. Trying to learn.

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A Veteran’s Note (And More)

Posted on by Melissa

This is one of, if not perhaps, my sister’s favorite possession and is really more her story to tell than mine. But, I hope she will not mind if I share a few of my own thoughts on this, especially today on Veteran’s Day. She is more than welcome to share her own words at any time regarding what this note and torn dollar has meant to her over the years.

When she joined the United States Navy in 1993 she was given this torn, crumpled, world weary dollar and the hand-written note from our grandfather on my mother’s side. He was know as Granddaddy to the four of us granddaughters. He had served in the Navy during World War II. The ship he served on, the USS Chase (DE-158) was a destroyer escort. On May 20, 1945 during the Battle of Okinawa it was hit by a kamikaze pilot and severely damaged. The crew struggled and worked hard to keep it afloat and they were eventually able to be towed into safety.

My grandfather was a man of few words. But, the words he spoke were always worthy of being heeded. He was a quiet, reflective sort always taking in what was going on around him.

The text of the note above is as follows:

Robin, 
        This is my lucky dollar. Carried all during World War II. Went in the water with me at Okinawa when our ship was hit 1943 [should be 1945]. Hope it brings you as Much luck.

Love, Granddaddy
Sept 25, 1993

I could attempt to write more, but in this case the image itself says so much on its own. It embodies the love and pride of a grandfather for his granddaughter (which he had in his own way for all four of us). It also embodies the respect of one veteran for another. Actually, two veterans for each other. On his part, in the act of sharing it with her. On her part, in the way she has memorialized that sharing.

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Check the Junk Drawer!

Posted on by Melissa

We all have them. A drawer, or possibly several drawers in our house into which we throw all the random items that don’t really have a particular place to go. We call it a junk drawer, but that does not necessarily mean everything in there is actually junk. Mostly, it’s just for things that don’t necessarily “fit in” in a specific location with a specific classification.

It may not occur every day, but I’m sure in most houses at least once a week or so the phrase, “Check the Junk Drawer!” is yelled out from one person to another when they are looking for something they can’t find elsewhere. Most items that are in there are not needed very frequently. However, it is often the place to find a critical item needed in a critical moment.

In my case, a close relative to the junk drawer is the miscellaneous file. No matter what kind of filing system I’m dealing with – whether it is my filing cabinet, computer files, writing journals, or my photo organizing index – I always have a folder or a section labeled miscellaneous. Again, it is where the items go that just don’t fit in, but are still worth keeping around.

As I reflect on my life and relationships over the years such as school, work, or circles of friendships, I realize that I have usually felt my place was in the junk drawer or the miscellaneous file. It’s always been hard for me to feel like I completely “fit in” a specific group. And now, as I have watched friends over the years live out their roles as spouses, parents, and some even into roles as grandparents, I again find myself wondering where and how I’m supposed to be classified.

Now, don’t get me wrong as I make the comparison. As I said earlier, not everything in the junk drawer is junk. It is put there because it is expected to be useful at some point. Same with the files placed in the miscellaneous folder. Just because they don’t sort out very easy into a category doesn’t mean they are worthless. If they were worthless they wouldn’t need to be saved at all.

So, if anybody needs me I’ll be over here hanging out in the junk drawer. And in that critical moment you realize that I’m just what you need at that particular time I’ll be here ready to help you out.

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Posted in Sunday Reflections

Morning Meditation

Posted on by Melissa

As I stepped outside yesterday morning, this is the scene that greeted me. Several things came to mind from this one image.

First, the rising sun on a new day reminded me of Lamentations 3:22-23 where we are told that the Lord’s mercies and compassions are new every morning. Yesterday’s worries and troubles are now in the past. Not forever gone or necessarily resolved. But, today offers a chance for a new perspective and a new opportunity to trust in God to be at work helping me through them.

Second, as I looked at the long extended branches of the tree I was reminded of all the birds I have seen take refuge and rest there over the last 20+ years. I then reflected on Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” And also on Psalm 92:1, “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. “

Finally, my thoughts turned to today’s Worship Service where we will celebrate All Saint’s Day with a time of remembrance of those lost over the past two years. If you look close, that large tree with the extended limbs is now dead and will need to be taken down in the near future. However, if you look even closer you can see around the bottom of the trunk that there are several small shoots that are growing around it. They are in a sense a legacy of the tree that will soon be gone. The same is true of the loved ones we will honor and remember today. Their journey here on Earth may have ended, but they all leave behind a rich legacy of new growth in their family, friends, and others they touched throughout their lives. 

For today:
May you see the mercies and compassions of the Lord. 
May you find refuge and strength in his Presence. 
May you remember loved ones in your life that are now gone with smiles and happy memories and live in a way to continue the goodness and love they shared with you while they were here. 
AMEN.

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