We are also in that time of anticipation: football season has begun, and all fans are anticipating with excitement how their team will do. As a die-hard Seminole fan and alum, I’m stoked with two wins and excited to see what the rest of the season holds, and I know my Gator and Bulldog brothers and sisters are just as excited.

We’re also on the cusp of the Holiday Season; kids are already trying to decide on their Halloween costumes, the stores are gearing up for fall, and Advent season is not that far away either! And…this upcoming Sunday is Creation Sunday. All of this reminds me that God is always doing something new and exciting, too!

Fall is the time of year for harvest, but we also plant bulbs for spring blooming.  Goldenrod already is and those beautiful hurricane lilies will soon be blooming everywhere, as well! Planting, watering, tending, weeding, and harvesting, it’s the cycle of life and it has me wondering what new thing God just might be doing here at Memorial and in your own personal spiritual walk. One’ thing’s for sure, the Holy Spirit never slumbers nor sleeps, so count on it…some new thing is about to happen!

At a recent staff meeting the word prayer was on several lips as Pastor Charlie asked us – What’s God up to? What’s Possible in 2023 and What’s Important for us moving forward? I think these are good questions for all of us to ponder. Is the Holy Spirit putting something in your heart? Is prayer one spiritual discipline thing you hear the Holy Spirit saying? If you haven’t joined in with reading the Bible, maybe the Spirit is saying…now’s the time the New Testament just might be where you go deeper into Scripture than you have before. Not those? – then, what new thing is the Spirit whispering in your heart’s ear?

One thing’s for sure – you’ve got lots of choices to plant, tend or water, here at Memorial! From missions and congregational care to new fall studies - there are so many ways to be the hands, feet, and heart of Jesus and to live out that call you’re hearing.

God’s doing a new thing – get excited and get out your spiritual gardening trowel – how ‘bout you, God, and we do something new together!

Blessings!