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One choice

Pastoral Messages | March 19, 2020

Several weeks ago, I had an hour or so at home before needing to head out to my next activity. I sat down on the couch and turned on the TV, thinking I’d watch a mindless show for awhile after a busy day at work. Grabbing the remote, I flipped through the channels, trying to find something that captured my interest.

It felt like endless options. I could watch the news or jump into a college basketball game that had just started. There were multiple cooking shows—each one telling me how easy it was to make a frittata or five-layer chocolate cake. I turned over to the home & garden channel, which was in the middle of a home remodel, posing the all-important question: would the homeowners love it or list it?

There were replays of old movies or a favorite sitcom. I skipped over cartoons only to find more choices from the National Geographic channel or a tour through Greece on the Travel Channel. There was something for everyone.

And yet, it almost felt like the abundance of options was paralyzing. There were so many choices that deciding on just one felt impossible. Before long, I’d spent the entirety of my free hour just flipping from one channel to the next. And I ended up not really watching anything at all! Little did I know that weeks later I’d have plenty of time to decide on what to watch as we spend much more time at home than we’re used to.

The funny thing is… that sometimes the more options we have, the harder it can be to make a decision. Sitting down to a 10 page menu in a restaurant can feel overwhelming. Or have you ever stood in front of a display case at a bakery? How does one possibly choose just one delicious treat!

As Christian people, there’s one decision that should never be very difficult: choosing love. No matter where we find ourselves, no matter the sometimes anxiety-producing news alerts, or the individual fears we may have—there is never a wrong time to choose to love one another.

In these uncertain days, we choose love when we sacrifice some of our usual conveniences for the health and safety of others we may not ever know. We love our neighbors when we decide not to hoard more than we need. We choose love through our patience with unusual circumstances or kind words toward others.

Earlier this week I watched videos of Italian neighborhoods where residents, restricted to their own apartments, would come out on the balconies each evening and sing to one other or converse from one floor to the next. What a beautiful expression of love for one another.

Especially in these days of social distancing and surreal changes to our every day lives, there’s once choice that seems both simple and straight forward: love. Yes, anger, frustration, resentment, or despair could certainly be among the possible choices. But, as Paul writes, “The greatest of these is love.” No matter the distance between each of us, there are all sorts of ways to choose words and actions of love. May we all choose wisely.

-Katy Warren, associate pastor

16 Comments on “One choice”

  • Dixie Kutzbach

    March 21, 2020 at 7:12 am

    Thank you, Pastor Katy. A beautiful reminder that love can be shown in an endless number of ways!!

  • Chris DeWitte

    March 20, 2020 at 12:16 pm

    Thank you Pastor Katy for the encouraging reminder to reach out in love. Such a positive reminder for all of us!

  • Paul Olsen

    March 19, 2020 at 8:11 pm

    As ALWAYS, wisdom and compasion and an articulate voice. Right on!

  • Edward Bauersfeld

    March 19, 2020 at 7:33 pm

    Thanks Pastor Katy the needed reminder. We should always think positive.

  • Faye Miller

    March 19, 2020 at 6:40 pm

    At this time I’m asking for many prayer’s . Pray For are leaders , administration, health officials , police officers, ambulance crew, fire department, and staff. Also for those who have to deliver and administer care to patient at home. Please continue saying prayers everyday for what you see that is needed like Energy, strength and wisdom, and so on. Pray for more people to come to front lines to help them fight against Coronavirus by helping and supporting staff. I accepted a job to deliver hospital beds and respiratory equipment and ventilators I have a medical background . Can make sure this equipment working properly. We need more workers. Yes, I will be wearing my armor and protection. We need prayers! Your sister in Christ Faye

  • Larry Price

    March 19, 2020 at 5:55 pm

    During this trying time, it’s important to be able to share our love with family and friends (via other than direct contact). Don’t be afraid to say “I love you” , no other words can be so comforting.

  • Vicki Felger

    March 19, 2020 at 5:51 pm

    Dear Pastor Katy, I think that in these tumultuous days of worry, hoarding, struggle, isolation and the rest of the negatives we hear in the chaos, let’s set up a revolution of love, service and joy!! Your precious words set us on that path! With deep gratitude for you!

  • Georgeann Kreiter

    March 19, 2020 at 5:43 pm

    Thank you for this message. With more empty than usual shelves at the grocery store this morning during “Sr. Shopping time” I thought about pictures we see of foreign stores (often) and the fact we’re getting just a taste of that. Add to that the offers from neighbors to do errands for anyone, we must be mindful of how fortunate we are here with loving people (all in it together) and not ALONE!

  • Jeanne Withycombe

    March 19, 2020 at 4:02 pm

    Well written,Katy. Thank you.

  • Cindy Bleich

    March 19, 2020 at 2:54 pm

    As usual Katie, You are filled with wisdom and grace. Thank-you for this message!

  • Bonnie Fox

    March 19, 2020 at 2:41 pm

    As always, Pastor Katy, you have just the right words. ?

  • Kathy Shepard

    March 19, 2020 at 2:19 pm

    Beautiful Katy! Thank you!

  • Marianne Jensen

    March 19, 2020 at 2:18 pm

    Lovely. Stay safe.

  • Marcia Willi

    March 19, 2020 at 2:16 pm

    Pastor Katy
    Thank you for this message. I am hoping during this period of time, we will all love one another and show that love more to each other.

  • Jana Baltimore

    March 19, 2020 at 2:14 pm

    Great message Pastor Katy! During these days of uncertainty, the one thing that IS certain, is the giving of love and kindness will always be the right thing to do.

  • Renee Wade

    March 19, 2020 at 2:09 pm

    Wonderful words Pastor Katy! Thank you for your message.

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