In a couple weeks, our country and state are finally trying to “open up” gradually. Businesses will re-open with new guidelines; people will gradually start to work at the office on a limited basis. I think we all can agree that we are very tired of being shut down and shut in.
On April 1st (no fooling!) Rachel offered a devotion to our Community Supper guests. It was so good, relevant and inspiring; I have copied it with permission. This is the devotion for this week.
“I’d like to share with you a message I gave to 38 people in need who came to my church for a meal:”
While we come together thinking about all the things that have been shut down or cancelled or put in lock down, I want us to remember the things that can’t be shut down or cancelled or put in lock down–the most important things of all:
Compassion–is not cancelled.
Kindness –is not cancelled.
Love–is not canceled.
The love for your friends, family, loved ones…won’t be canceled.
Generosity of spirit…is not canceled.
Your courage and bravery…is not canceled.
Your sense of humor…your laughter…your jokes…have not been canceled.
Your creativity…is not canceled.
Your ability to think, feel, dream, imagine…is not canceled.
The sunshine…the moonlight…the gentle breeze…has not been canceled.
The beauty of the world around us…has not been canceled.
This day we are alive…has not been canceled.
Humanity has not been canceled.
The spark inside you that makes you want to sing, dance, move, leap. Run and play…
That has not been canceled.
What makes you smile, cry
–laugh, hurt and heal…won’t be canceled.
The prayers you pray…will not be canceled.
Your loving God who is trying to comfort you…He will not be cancelled.
The voice of calm…the lullaby…the anthem…the inspiring speech…
The power of a voice…none of these things are cancelled.
Life is not canceled.
You are not cancelled.”
Rachel Conlin-McLeod, April 1, 2020