The weekly Five Minute Friday word prompt for this week is “church.”

When I worked at camp, we had this poem we would teach the kids: “Here’s the church, Here’s the steeple, open the door, and see all the people.” It even came with hand motions. This catchy little poem is so fun, but I think in some ways it’s not telling the whole truth.

You see, the church is more than a building. During the last several months, we’ve realized that church can happen online. It can happen in a parking lot or on the church lawn. It truly happens anywhere two or three are gathered in Christ’s name.

Sadly too often I think many of us make the church building an idol. What would happen if a fire or hurricane or something destroyed your church ? Would you still be able to worship? Of course! Don’t get me wrong, I missed being in the building but I also realize the beauty of worshipping anywhere two or three have gathered in Christ’s name.

As a deacon in the church, my calling is to show God’s people that the church can and is more than a building! I am called to send God’s beloved our into the world sharing God’s love with the world.

The weekly Five Minute Friday word prompt for this week is “could.”

A few summers ago, I climbed almost to the very top of Estes Cone in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. It was one of the hardest things I’ve tried to do but I was determined. And the views were 100 percent worth it.

“She believed she could, so she did!”

Who would have ever thought that I would attend seminary and become a deacon in the ELCA? I struggled with systematic theology, but due to a smart professor, we figured out a way for me to learn more effectively. I finally passed that class.

“She believed she could, so she did.”

Writing words on a page is a gift God has given me. I never quite imagined I’d use words to tell my family’s story of mental illness and self publish my own book. I’m proud of that little book.

“She believed she could, so she did!”

There are so many things I’d still like to accomplish in my life like fostering etc. I know that Gods got me as I strive to reach those goals. The journey is not over yet!

“She believed she could, so she did!”

This pandemic continues on with no end in sight. People debate over the validity of masks vs no masks. Some think this pandemic is simply just a hoax. We cannot seem to agree on anything.

And in the midst of a pandemic, we find ourselves in the midst of a political campaign too. Republican vs Democrat, Liberal vs Conservative, and the list goes on and on. Again we find ourselves arguing over things rather than trying to understand where the other side is coming from.

Our world is full of so much injustice and callousness too. Jacob Blake didn’t deserve to be shot seven times. There are so many crying out to be heard and their cries often seem to fall on deaf ears. As I read and learn more about racism, I see my own complacency and know I/we need to do better for our siblings of color.

I know not everyone will agree with me but one way I believe we can do that is by not calling Covid the China virus. Yes, it originated in China but people use that to sling racism and hate at the Chinese people. Are we not better than that? I hope and pray that we are!

There is so much I want for our world. I want justice. I want peace. I want us to see each other for our differences rather than letting those differences separate us. I want this to be a better place for our children, grandchildren, etc to grow up in. Yet I’m not sure we can ever get there. Every day I try to listen to those voices that are different than mine. However, often those conversations turn to hate and arguing. It feels as if I’m wasting my breath trying to find common ground.

And I’m weary, friends…weary at trying to love my neighbor, weary at fighting for justice, weary at our world and how we treat one another. Yet in my weariness and tiredness, I cling to the hope of Christ; the hope that one day we will truly be united as Gods beloved people.

Where do you see hope in our world today?