When I face challenges it sometimes helps to think about a role model whose example I can follow.  Lately I’ve been thinking about my mother’s mother.  Her name was Bessie Burt; she was a strong person of faith.  She was born in the 1880’s and died in the 1970’s, when I was a young teen.  My mom, Louvine, was her 11th of 12 children.  Sadly, Bessie had to endure the loss of four of those children plus her husband, Lem, after six decades of faithful marriage.  She also lived through a number of other hardships including life on a farm looking after a large family, world wars, a terrible flu pandemic, the Great Depression as well as a tremendous amount of change in the nine decades of her earthly journey.

Bessie persevered with the love of family, by helping and receiving help from neighbors and church members, with hard work, an enduring faith, a love of Hoosier basketball, and a sassy sense of humor.  So many of her grandchildren and great grandchildren, like me, were fortunate to have her to set the example for living a meaningful and purposeful life.  Bessie passed away while I was confirming my faith at St. Mark UCC in Terre Haute.  I chose my grandmother’s favorite verse for my confirmation verse:

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God and who are called according to God’s purpose.  (Romans 8:28)

For me this verse is a reminder that God is the source of all that is good.  It is a verse that reminds me not to blame God for evil.  It helps me to focus on loving God and loving self and others as an expression of God’s purpose.  My grandmother’s example and her favorite Bible verse provide the kind of practical wisdom that helps me, especially in times like these.

Who is one of your role models?  What is one of your favorite verses?  Maybe some reflection on these questions will bring some calm and direction to your life right now.  Maybe sharing the story of your role model and your favorite verse will bring calm and direction to others in your circle of influence.

Let’s keep sharing our stories (in safe ways, of course) so that the goodness of God grows through us.

By the way, your pastors continue to be praying for you and are available for conversation and spiritual support at pastormarc@FriedensUCC.org; pastorsarah@FriedensUCC.org; and pastorpam@FriedensUCC.org.  Virtual worship and other information is available at www.FriedensUCC.org.

May the peace of Christ be with you.