Past, Present, Future.
Today is a significant day in our nation's history, and yet, remembering the saints shapes how we will move forward, with our eyes fixed on Jesus.
Twenty-four years ago today, I sat in my aunt’s living room in Florida, where we watched election coverage and learned the term “hanging chad.”
November 7, 2000 was quite a historical day and probably the first controversial election I can recall (even though I wasn’t old enough to vote).
But this was also a day to remember for a far more valuable reason: we had just spent hours celebrating the earthly life and heavenly homecoming of my grandpa.
I did not digest the significance of that moment in our country’s history because I was experiencing deep grief for the first time in my young fifteen years of life.
A year and a half earlier, I had confirmed my Christian faith through my confirmation. I had called my grandfather to ask him to help me pick the Bible verse to mark the occasion.
My grandfather was a Lutheran pastor for over 50 years. No one really retires from a job like that, but the year I was born, my grandparents moved from Indiana to Florida for retirement.
My relationship with my grandparents consisted of phone calls, their road trips north to visit, and the few times we went to visit in Florida. Even still, my grandpa made a significant impact in my young life.
Last fall, I attended a Visual Faith® Ministry workshop where everyone learned how to make a Thanksgiving-themed garland. You could add Bible verses, a tag for each of your family members, etc…
The first day of November marks the celebration of All Saints Day. For me, the whole month is time to reflect and remember the saints.
As I begin to work on my garland, I want to remember all the saints who have impacted by faith journey, both those in my family and those whose paths I have crossed throughout the years. I only know bits and pieces of my ancestry as it has been passed down through the generations, but from what I have heard, they have set the example that Jesus sets for us, and that is worthy to be remembered!
I came across this video a few weeks ago and it’s quite fitting to begin this series of posts: Celebrating loved ones we miss.
And today, of all days, my confirmation verse, selected by my grandpa is what I need to remember! We have nothing to be afraid of today or any day. Nothing can separate us from the love of God! There is no earthly fear that has more power than Jesus, who has already won the most important victory!
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid? - Psalm 27:1 NIV