February 2012

Grace and peace to you,

It seems as if everyone is buzzing about the upcoming Super Bowl Game between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants.  The last time they were in the Super Bowl was 2008.  I remember it well because John and I were celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary on a cruise to Hawaii. The game took place one day while we were in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.  It was then that I realized that when commercials come on, the game stops.  Since we only saw the satellite feed, there was a lot of time when the players were just standing around…waiting to continue the game.

In the winter, it can seem like everything is standing still waiting for spring to come.  We wait to see if an upcoming storm would bring rain or snow.  We wait to see if the groundhog would see his shadow.  We wait…

There are times of our life when it seems that we are in the midst of winter, even though the flowers are in bloom and the sun is so hot.  These are the times when we are going through something.  We wait to get through chemo treatments.  We wait to get through surgery.  We wait to find relief from periodic bouts of pain.  We wait until a loved one can come home.   We wait while we look for a job.  We wait until our debts are all paid.  We wait until all of our problems are solved.

“Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for him;” (Psalm 37:7a)

We can be patient and wait, because we know that following winter comes spring.  We can be patient and wait because we know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

However, the waiting I experienced watching the Super Bowl was not a passive waiting because they took that time to plan their next move.  In this process, they huddle, share ideas and then wait for the Quarterback to tell them what play he has decided will come next.  His decision is the definitive action the team will take.

There is power in the huddle.  There is value in discussing the things that lie heavy on our hearts and minds.  There is satisfaction in gathering together.  There is peace when we hear the authoritative voice of our Quarterback calling out our next move, especially when we know that it is that voice that can shed light on our current condition and lead us into the light.  This works whether we are dealing with personal or corporate issues.  There is always power in the huddle.

Let us realize that it is during the winters when we need each other the most.  We may want to stay in our beds and wait until spring; but that will only extend the winter months.  Instead let it energize us so that

we can make the most of the time we have.  Let us take this winter and this upcoming Lenten season to come together, share our thoughts and concerns and then listen for God’s will for our lives.  With faith and trust in each other and in God, we can make our way through these winter months.

I thank God for you,

Pastor Kathy Nealand

Interim Pastor

P.S.  If you do not have a faith community to experience the power of the huddle, seek one out today!  Do not wait until the winter is over.