......" It's All About Listening!“
A woman was frantic when she discovered her daughter was missing in the Rocky Mountains. She thrashed through the woods, screaming her daughter's name. She went back to the campsite and called for help. Within half an hour, a search team had been organized. They began sweeping the area, calling out at regular intervals for the little girl.
The woman sat down on a rock for a moment to rest. How would she ever find her little girl? She was listening for her daughter's voice, but all she could hear was the volunteer search team pounding through the woods, calling to her daughter and to one another.
Suddenly she decided that she and the other searchers were making so much noise that they could not hear the girl if she was yelling or crying. She relayed this information to the others and in moments everyone was silent, standing quietly. The mother listened. Nothing. She listened harder. Every pore of her body, every fiber, every muscle strained to hear the one voice she would recognize above all others.
Then she heard her little girl calling for her. By carefully listening and following the sound of her voice, the mother was reunited with her daughter. Sometimes we need to get to a quiet place and listen. Of course, that is what a major part of prayer is all about---listening. We need a time when we can simply spend time in God's presence. Some people call this prayer.
And, of course, I believe that a worship service is also a time to listen and to hear and to feel God's presence. The hymns, the prayers and the Lord's Prayer, the quiet time in the sanctuary, the reading of the holy scripture and the "Good News!" help us to listen to God, to hear that still quiet voice.
September is designated as "Back to Church Sunday!" I trust that every Sunday we will all be in church and that we will find our hearts warmed and blessed and renewed as we spend time in God's presence. Be sure to invite neighbors and others to join us for worship. Sunday September 27, after the service of worship, we are invited to gather in the Family Life Center for a meal and to continue the joy of being together. Blessings! - Reverend Cooper Stonestreet