What More Can I Say?

Anyone who knows me knows I like to plan ahead.
Especially when it comes to Sunday mornings.
Because Sundays come one right after another with startling speed and relentless regularity.
So, by Monday morning I usually try to have at least an idea about that which I would like us to think and to talk about on the upcoming Sunday: a passage from the Bible which I have been thinking about or a headline in the news which has caught my attention or even a commercial or advertisement which made me stop and say, “Really?”
But I sat down at my desk this past Monday morning with nothing.
No headline.
No commercial.
No passage from the Bible.
No great idea…not even a lousy idea.
Blank paper.
Blinking cursor.
All I had was my To Do list.
Scripture reading.
Sermon title.
Then, I realized…
While I had nothing, we already had everything we needed for this morning.
Everything we needed to remind us of who we are and who we are called to be.
Everything we needed to remind us of how we are to keep and to care for each other.
Everything we needed to remind us that it is not just about what happens here on Sunday, but also about who we are and how we live and what happens out there each and every other day of the week.
Besides our prayers with and for one another.
Besides our best efforts to embody the hospitality and welcome of God.
Besides doing our best to practice generosity and to live with gratitude…
This morning we have been reminded we are a family.
And as a family we are to surround those we love with as much care and concern and love and support as we can muster. And, we have been reminded that those about whom we are to care and those whom we are to support and love is larger than households and more than just last names and far more extensive and inclusive than second cousins twice removed. Because in the household of God, we are named as sisters and brothers and because of that we are each other’s business. And, the truth may be we are only able to find our way because we are.

And, this morning we are reminded and recognize the value and importance of leadership.
Here, for this congregation as we ordain and install those who have agreed and who have been elected to serve on our governing board and our Board of Deacons. But, with that we also get a glimpse of what leadership looks like and of the commitment and dedication leadership requires. And how each of us, in her or his own way, are called to be leaders in those places where we live and work each day. Sometimes leadership is formal and up front and sometimes not, but always leadership is example. Our doing our best to live up to our best values and our bravest hopes in those everyday moments of life from board room decisions to the check out line in the grocery store. Leadership has everything to do with how we imagine the world might be which, for us, is wrapped up somehow in that grand dream of God. And, leadership has everything to do with how we treat others.
All others.
No matter where or who or when.

On Monday morning I had nothing.
Nada.
Then I realized, we had everything we needed.
What more can I say?