He has told you, human one, what is good and what the Lord requires from you: to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God. – Micah 6:8 (CEB)

Several years ago, while completing my training in pastoral care, I had the opportunity to work as a chaplain at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham. It never ceased to amaze me how the children ministered to me, more than I could ever claim to have ministered to them. Many of these children were extremely ill, but many of them still seemed to have a smile on their face. No wonder Jesus said: “To enter into the Kingdom of heaven, you must become like a little child.” Children have wonderful imaginations and the ability to see beyond their circumstances and into a world with infinite possibilities.

On one occasion, I visited with a young girl and her grandmother, and I gave my usual introduction, saying that I was a chaplain at the hospital, but then something happened that I wasn’t expecting. The grandmother asked her granddaughter if she knew what a chaplain was. At that moment, it seemed like all of the theological rhetoric and training that I had received in seminary went flying out the window. I told the young girl: “I’m the guy who gets to go around to all of the rooms in the hospital to talk about love.” Then, I asked: “Do you know anything about love?” She responded: “I love my grandmamma.” At that point, I realized that adults make things in life too complicated. True happiness is not about wealth or material possessions. It’s not even about accomplishing remarkable goals or performing Christianly-duties. But, life is about responding to God’s love. How? By being just like the young girl and her grandmother, making God’s love manifest in our lives. Examine your life. When was the last time someone encountered the love of God in you?

Blessings,

Pastor Cowser

 

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Center Grove United Methodist Church
P.O. Box 5957
Huntsville, AL 35814

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