Jumbled thoughts October 21st:

With Halloween just around the corner, we’ll see plenty of masks and costumes—and perhaps a few adults sneaking candy meant for the trick-or-treaters! But Halloween also reminds us of the masks we sometimes wear in everyday life. We smile when we’re hurting, say “I’m fine” when we’re struggling, and pretend to have everything together. The good news is that God sees beyond every mask and loves us just as we are. In Matthew 22, Jesus reminds us of the two greatest commandments: love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. As a church family, we’re called to be a place where nobody has to pretend to be perfect. We can share our struggles, carry one another’s burdens, offer grace instead of judgment, and remind each other that we are beloved children of God. So enjoy the Halloween costumes, and maybe sneak an extra piece of candy! But remember, when it comes to God’s love and the family of faith, no masks are required. We are loved, we belong, and together we can share Christ’s love with the world.

Speaking of masks and missing candy, I have never been much of a dress up person. I love candy though, so I always make sure and go through Emerson’s candy bag “inspecting” the candy. I am worried that she is old enough now to know that after my inspection her candy bag ends up being a bit lighter. We live in a world that tries to leave us in the same boat our candy bag seems sometimes to be way lighter than it started as. Emerson will be highly annoyed with me when she gets her bag back and there are way less twizzlers and sour patch kids in it, we get frustrated when we realize that all we have worked for does not add up to what we expected. One of the best things about being a part of the body of Christ is it will always be more than we expected, better than we could imagine, and all we have to do is grab hold of the hand reaching out for us. No extra inspection needed. No masks required because God knows anything we might be hiding, and God still reaches out and says here is more than you ever dreamed of. Let the love of God overcome your desire to wear masks this week. Have a blessed week. Pray for rain. See you all Sunday

Ryan