Face to the Sun

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Keep Your Face to the Sun and You Cannot See the Shadows.
This quote is often attributed to Helen Keller, although it has many sources.  I first learned it when a youth group teenager cross-stitched it for me as a gift.  She learn that I was diagnosed with Lupus, and wanted to offer her encouragement.  I still have the sampler.  It is a much-needed reminder when life offers challenges--especially challenges that seem to last far too long.

I believe that following Easter, many of us began to chafe at the restrictions placed on us by this coronavirus pandemic.  We made it through Lent and surely Easter was the beginning of New Life, right?  Turns out that spiritual New Life isn't always matched by new and exciting circumstances--and so we continue our daily routines and precautions even though the natural world seems to be bursting into Spring without us.  

It's so much more fun discovering the new buds and blossoms if you have someone to share the experience with--to point out the new growth and the signs of Spring.  Here are two little beauties I found in my yard.  I'm wondering if anyone knows the names/identities of these flowers.  More importantly...I'm wondering what is springing up in your yard or neighborhood.  If you'll take a photo and email or text it to me, I'll gladly display them in future emails.

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Prayer Requests from Sunday morning's online gathering:  Loretta Booth with heart issues;  Sharon Porter and family;  Connie White;  Kammie, Karl & Kevin Hoffheins;  Lucy Hadley;  the Bridge Shelter residents and staff;  Good Samaritan Food Pantry and staff;  for our president and elected officials to make wise decisions regarding health and economy; Celebrations:  beautiful weather and walks; folks making masks and offering support to others; for daily emails to keep us together as a congregation!

On this day and through all the days ahead, may we all keep our faces to the sun so that we see and focus on God's beauty all around us...and trust God to deal with the shadows.
This is the day that the Lord has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Peace and all good,
Pastor Jean
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