“We Are Not Alone”

by Rev. Janet Stobie

Beginning with my fall last January, stress dogged our footsteps through 2013. Over the last twelve months I have yelled at God, pleaded with God, even doubted God’s existence.  For sure, I lost patience with God’s time schedule. Healing my back is taking away too long. The closing date on our house sale loomed and still we had found nothing affordable to buy. We were one week from moving in with friends (couch surfing in today’s terms) before we had both a house sitting job and a house to buy with a long closing date. For me that was much too close to comfort.

We have begun a New Year. We’ve settled into our housesitting job. At first, I felt displaced, like a refugee, but after spending Christmas here, this beautiful place has become our home. Living beside the river brings a special gift. I never tire of watching its different moods. My back is healing. I’m almost back to “my normal life”. We’ve bought a wonderful house, and come April, we’ll move to it.

The silver lining to 2013 is that my relationship with God has deepened. Instead of making New Year’s Resolutions, this week I listed the areas of my life in which I need God’s help. First and foremost are the boxes of books that line the walk-in closet upstairs. “Fireweed” has sold tremendously well, but there are lots left. I need God’s help in planning speaking engagements, workshops, selling on the internet. That’s only one aspect of my busy life. I even need God’s help in resting.

What do you need from God for 2014? Think about your goals. Ask God for strength and leadership. We don’t have to be in trouble or sick or broken to take time for God. Line your year with prayer rather than resolutions. Remind yourself every day of Jesus’ words, “I will be with you always, even unto the end of the age.” (Matthew 28: 20)

“In life, in death, in life beyond death, we are not alone, thanks be to God.” (United Church, New Creed)