Written by Nina Pope, from the Village Church
One of the best features of growing older is having the possibility of perspective regarding life experiences which just simply does not always occur to the young at heart. It brings joy to know there is something good about maturity. I can now see that God’s presence has been with me for a long time, probably more times than I actually recognized. As I look back, I know God’s presence was guiding me toward him as I got myself up and dressed Sunday mornings for church during my grade school years while the rest of my family did other things. I went to choir practice, took part in various pageants, and participated in many other church activities. Eventually, Hughes and I were married by a young Jewish Unitarian minister (how’s that for Ecumenical !). The most important part of those past years came when a friend sensed a spiritual hunger within me and kick-started me toward a more serious faith journey as she witnessed to me in a Ralphs parking lot in VanNuys, California. That was in the past. God must really have a sense of humor. It was a tapestry of events following that brought me to a lasting faith journey. I began to experience what I now call ‘God moments’ which alerted me to awakening instruction God gives me to pay attention to something special I might act on or notice for future reference. Sometimes it has drawn me into unique intervention of some sort or indicates something I am to know or hear. Every now and again, I realize I have missed a cue for which I feel great remorse. In this present stage of life, I have clearly been directed to just the right church, to many wonderful people who mentor and teach me, and it makes me cognizant of the rich layers of blessing that have characterized my marriage, my family, and beyond. I am drenched in blessing, and I see God’s gracious hand in both the ordinary and the extraordinary, and I am grateful God bothers with me at all. This is my present. In spite of many current, unsettling uncertainties in the details of my life, I look forward to discovering blessings yet unknowable and unimaginable in the future. Because I have received so many past blessings, I am confident that whatever God has planned for me will be abundant and exceedingly gracious.
| MARCH 6, 2024 |
Older people are wise, and long life brings understanding. [Job 12:12]
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