
September 17, 2025
![]() |
ps from psIt has felt a bit chaotic in recent days for many. Many of you in conversations we’ve had or I’ve heard others are having are describing a bit more fear, anxiety, frustration and lostness than normal. Even my dental hygienist was asking me about this this morning, while scraping a sharp metal object over my teeth and gums and then asking if I felt any discomfort…to which I always reply, “yes, right about when you’re scraping a sharp metal object over my teeth and gums.” Sometimes life feels like it’s scraping a sharp metal object over ours teeth and gums and hearts and patience and plans and comfort zones and even our faith. And those moments of discomfort can become chaotic times pretty fast. Kristen’s sermon on Luke’s story of the “Lost” parables was great to remind us that just as Jesus goes after the one lost one, he also treasures, stays with and loves the 99. In fact, Jesus loves 100% of us 100% of the time. The challenge in our faith lives is staying connected to that chaos smoothing news. Those are the times that I pray. I pray, not to make God snap his godly fingers and fix x, y, or z (although, to be honest, I do hope for it), but instead to return me to the purpose and position God put me (and you) in: to continue to overwhelm darkness with light, love and grace. Prayer changes me. And in that change, chaos is calmed, peace has a chance to return, hope is restored and light gets brighter. God invites us into that prayer whenever and wherever it is needed. Whenever and wherever it is chaotic. Wherever and whenever anxiety rises up. There’s a classic prayer that hangs next to my desk that my awesome crafty wife made for me 20+ years ago (her two-year long, first and last needlepoint project) that reads: Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. Acceptance. Courage. Wisdom. If life is chaotic for you today, may God grant you serenity to accept some of the brokenness in and around us and to know that God’s love is bigger than all of it. If life is chaotic for you today, may God grant you the courage to change the situation around you by sharing more grace and love. If life is chaotic for you today, may God grant you the wisdom to discern the difference and the wisdom to never forget that you are unconditionally loved by God. Still in One Peace, ps |
Recent Comments