October 29, 2018
There are places we’ve been, people we remember, and events that have taken place, all working together to shape who we are and who we are becoming. Some are subtle. Others may be significant – as Kay Burgi reminds me in this morning’s Fruit of the Vine – or even violent.
My mom died nineteen days ago. Her pain was under control. She was surrounded by family. My time with her and my dad over the last four months (I moved in with them at the end of May) was filled with conversations about hard things as well as the retelling of stories, laughter, countless visitors bearing food and flowers. Now, only a week after her memorial service, I can see how significant this time has been. The direction of my life has changed.
What about you? How did you get to where you are today? Where are you going?
Kay writes about her visit “to early Quaker sites in the Lake region of England.” Those Quakers who gathered at “the dining room at Swarthmore Hall,” praying together, making plans for visits, writing pamphlets, encouraging one another – the direction of their lives was changed by an encounter with God in community. Kay writes that from there, “They went out in all directions to spread this ... gospel of the kingdom ... a dramatic and revolutionary movement.”
What about us? How are we encountering God in community? Where are we going?
Those early Quakers had “good news of hope and reconciliation.” My recent experiences prove how important both hope and reconciliation continue to be. And I pray that no matter where you find yourself – no matter where you are going – that together we might continue to be bearers of good news, speaking hope and working for reconciliation with everyone we meet.
Eric Muhr
P.S. Seeds of hope is the three-year campaign to fund the ministry of Barclay Press by developing new titles, supporting small churches, and balancing the budget. In order to stay on target to meet our goal of $162,000 by December 31, 2020, we need to get to $54,000 by the end of this year. As of this morning, we have raised $35,372 in gifts and pledges.
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