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Message from Bob Henderson Friday, January 19, 2018
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Dear friends:
In her book Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers, Anne Lamott writes,
"When we are stunned to the place beyond words, we're finally starting to get somewhere. It is so much more comfortable to think that we know what it all means, what to expect and how it all hangs together. When we are stunned to the place beyond words, when an aspect of life takes us away from being able to chip away at something until it's down to a manageable size and then to file it nicely away, when all we can say in response is 'Wow,' that's a prayer."
To live with a sense of wonder, a spirit open to awe, mystery, and beauty; to look out at the sea and with the Psalmist marvel at dolphins frolicking 'just for the sport of it'; to live such that we can say 'wow' in a multitude of settings and circumstances is to open ourselves to the fullness of life God desires for us. Wonder takes our breath away and makes way for new breath, for new life.
This week, we continue our sermons series Seven Words for Living by considering the word "Wow." It means to be surprised, to be open to fresh interpretation, to behold unexpected beauty. To be able to say "wow" requires the capacity for new life and wonder, to pay attention, to be watchful. The question really is, "Where do we start?" How do we live a life that is awake and alive? We start where we are, of course, in our daily human existence, and start looking out of the corner of our eye for divine surprises.
We'll talk more about it this weekend. In the meantime, you can read these two passages in preparation. As you do, listen for the hope and the joy.
Warmly,
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Worship Services this Sunday (click for bulletins)
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